As a graduate student navigating the world of social work, I find myself strongly entwined with mental health activism, influenced by both personal and familial experiences. As someone who is dealing with mental health issues, I am painfully aware of the transforming power of empathy and understanding in the field of social work. I observed the pervasive impact of silence growing up in a home where mental health concerns were shrouded in taboo. Our mutual suffering existed in the shadows, hidden by a societal aversion to confronting the complexity of mental health. This suffocating setting acted as a spark for my determination to break the silence and deconstruct the stigma surrounding mental health. My own struggles with mental health have served as both a test and a source of strength for me. My struggles have informed and enriched my understanding of the human condition through therapy and self-reflection. This personal journey motivates my advocacy work, emphasizing the need of open discussion and support systems in promoting mental health. My mission as a mental health advocate is twofold. To begin, I am committed to incorporating mental health considerations into the broader discourse of social work inside the bounds of academia. I seek to bridge the gap between theory and lived experience through research, teaching, and cooperation, ensuring that future social workers have a thorough awareness of mental health dynamics. Externally, my activism extends into the community, where I actively participate in stigma-reduction debates and awareness campaigns. I believe that by sharing my story and encouraging others to do the same, I may break down the barriers that perpetuate misconceptions about mental health. My advocacy commitment is not only about individual empowerment, but also about fostering a social consciousness that recognizes the multidimensional nature of mental health. My journey is a catalyst for change in the context of my family. I want to be a source of comfort and compassion, breaking the hereditary silence that has cloaked mental health talks. My family and I hope to build a compassionate environment by sharing our stories, paving the way for healing and connection. To summarize, my academic quest in social work is more than just a job choice; it is also a personal odyssey connected with mental health advocacy. I hope to design a future in which mental health is not consigned to the margins but is accepted as an intrinsic part of the human experience via openness, understanding, and study. This scholarship is an investment not only in my academic career, but also in the larger cause of destigmatizing mental health one story at a time.

As a woman committed to advancing equality, my pursuit of a Master of Social Work (MSW) is motivated by a deep desire to facilitate good change. Growing up, I saw firsthand the discrepancies that exist in our society, which inspired me to choose a job that addresses systemic challenges. Through my academic endeavors, I hope to gain the information and abilities needed to confront and destroy the barriers that perpetuate inequity. With a background in social work, I hope to create welcoming environments where disadvantaged perspectives are not just heard but actively amplified. My academic trajectory demonstrates a commitment to comprehending the complexities of social processes, allowing me to devise subtle and effective intervention tactics. I hope to be a catalyst for change within communities, fighting for policies that value justice, diversity, and inclusivity, guided by feminist ideas. My ambition is to contribute to the development of social systems so that they benefit all people, regardless of gender, color, or socioeconomic status. Aside from academics, I am committed to engage in hands-on experiences that will allow me to make a real difference. I intend to cooperate with groups that share my principles through internships and volunteer work, actively participating in efforts that uplift and empower underrepresented people. By combining theory and practice, I hope to bridge the gap between academics and the real-world difficulties encountered by people on the periphery of society. I recognize the value of adaptability and constant learning in the ever-changing landscape of social work. I am devoted to remaining current on developing issues and novel solutions in order to keep my approach dynamic and sensitive to the changing requirements of the communities I hope to serve. As a mental health advocate, I strive to break down stigmas and promote inclusive wellness. My passion lies in creating spaces where all individuals, irrespective of gender, feel heard and supported. Through my career, I aim to foster resilience and empower others on their mental health journeys. My pursuit of an MSW is a conscious and passionate step toward making a positive difference in the world. I hope to contribute to a more equal and just society where everyone has the opportunity to prosper by combining academic rigor, practical experience, and a feminist perspective. This scholarship will not only help my academic aspirations, but it will also allow me to double my effect, creating constructive change on a larger scale.

Navigating the maze of substance misuse has been a transformative adventure that has permanently altered my values, relationships, and job goals. This journey has not only shed light on the perilous nature of addiction, but it has also sparked tremendous personal growth, transforming the course of my life. My experience with substance misuse radically impacted my worldview, emphasizing the frailty of human resilience and the pervasive influence of outside forces on one's decisions. This journey has created in me a great empathy for anyone struggling with addiction, shattering any preconceived beliefs of judgment. I now have a strong belief in the power of compassion, knowing that addiction is a complex interaction of biological, psychological, and social elements that necessitates a nuanced and supporting approach. Relationships, both personal and professional, have taken the brunt of my substance misuse issues. The process of restoring trust and cultivating honest connections has been difficult yet transformative. I've learned the benefits of open communication and vulnerability in developing lasting connections. The steadfast support of those who were there for me in my darkest hour has become a guiding principle, motivating a dedication to reciprocity and a true investment in the well-being of others. I am painfully aware of the enormous impact this trip has had on determining my professional trajectory when I ponder on the interplay between substance misuse and job objectives. My ambitions have developed from simple career goals to a deeper dedication to making a good difference in the lives of those facing similar circumstances. I'm drawn to a career that combines mental health advocacy, substance abuse counseling, and community outreach, and I hope to help to breaking the cycle of addiction and fostering resilience in others in the future. Furthermore, my experience has spurred a desire to de-stigmatize addiction in society. I hope to work toward fostering inclusive settings that prioritize mental health and substance abuse support, removing the hurdles that frequently prevent people from getting treatment. This dedication is consistent with my conviction in the transformational power of empathy and understanding, and I envision a future in which social views about substance dependence are based on compassion rather than judgment. My experience with substance misuse has been a furnace of personal change, transforming my values, relationships, and job goals. This experience has instilled in me a strong dedication to empathy, resilience, and activism. As I trace a path toward a career in mental health and drug abuse counseling, I am motivated by the notion that my own issues can serve as a catalyst for good change in my life and the lives of others suffering similar challenges.

Navigating academic areas while dealing with mental health issues has been a significant adventure that has shaped both my academic success and personal life. Recognizing the symbiotic relationship between mental health and total well-being, I've taken deliberate steps to prioritize my mental health and foster an environment favorable to personal and academic improvement. My mental health has an undeniable impact on my academic achievement. My capacity to concentrate and engage in the learning process has been hampered during times of high stress or anxiety. The ongoing tug of war between scholastic demands and mental health necessitates a precise balancing act. Nonetheless, I've realized that my mental health is not an impediment, but rather a facet that necessitates attention and care. In my personal life, the consequences of mental health issues transcend beyond the scholastic realm. Friendships and family relationships are inevitably influenced by the ebb and flow of my mental condition. There are times when social contacts become overpowering, necessitating time alone and introspection. Nurturing these relationships while protecting my mental health is a tricky balancing act, and I sometimes find relief in honest discussion about my experiences, which fosters understanding and empathy. I've taken a varied approach to prioritizing my mental wellness. First and first, I place a high value on self-care routines that include physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Regular exercise, mindfulness meditation, and appropriate sleep are the foundations of my self-care program, providing a basis for mental resilience. In addition, I have sought professional assistance through counseling programs, realizing the importance of outside aid in navigating the difficulties of mental health. Creating a friendly academic environment has been really helpful in reducing the influence of mental health on my studies. I have actively engaged with professors about my difficulties, building a relationship that extends beyond academic success measures. This transparency has allowed for required accommodations and has fostered an environment that emphasizes holistic well-being. In addition, I've adopted a proactive approach to stress management, including time management skills and setting realistic goals. Breaking assignments down into digestible pieces has not only improved my academic achievement but also reduced the overwhelming nature of long-term endeavors. The interaction of mental health, academic achievement, and personal life is a dynamic terrain that must be navigated with care. Recognizing the symbiotic relationship between these components has taught me to prioritize my mental health as an important component of my total well-being. I am devoted to building an atmosphere that promotes both my academic goals and personal growth through a combination of self-care practices, open communication, and proactive academic tactics.

I am a dedicated individual with a strong interest in mental health, motivated by a personal path that has influenced my goals. Growing up in a region where mental health was frequently disregarded, I saw firsthand the enormous impact it had on individuals and families. This sparked an interest in me to seek a profession in mental health advocacy and support. My academic path demonstrates my dedication to comprehending the complexity of mental health. I am now obtaining a degree in Psychology and have been involved in courses that digs into the complexities of human behavior, mental diseases, and therapeutic approaches. This intellectual foundation gives me the knowledge I need to understand the subtleties of mental health difficulties. Aside from academics, my practical experience in the field has been critical in molding my viewpoint. I have actively participated in volunteer work with local mental health groups, donating my time to assist people experiencing mental health difficulties. These encounters have not only increased my empathy, but also strengthened my belief in the transformational power of compassion and understanding. In the future, I intend to have a broad impact on my community through my mental health career. To begin, I hope to bridge the awareness-to-action gap by organizing community seminars and activities that de-stigmatize mental health issues. Education is critical, and I envision developing easily accessible materials to help people recognize, understand, and manage their mental health issues. Second, I want to build community support networks by working with local healthcare providers and community leaders to construct a comprehensive system of care. This includes pushing for expanded mental health services and ensuring that individuals have access to the resources they require to successfully navigate their mental health journeys. In addition, I am dedicated to supporting mental health at educational institutions. I intend to establish programs that promote mental well-being and provide adolescents with the tools they need to overcome the obstacles of adolescence by collaborating closely with schools. This proactive strategy strives to raise a generation that values mental health from a young age. My experience thus far, together with my academic ambitions and community involvement, qualifies me as a passionate champion for mental health. My complete community impact strategy includes education, collaboration, and proactive actions to create a friendly atmosphere for people dealing with mental health issues. With this scholarship, I hope to amplify my efforts and make a significant contribution to the collective well-being of my community.

I am a dedicated individual with a strong interest in mental health, motivated by a personal path that has influenced my goals. Growing up in a region where mental health was frequently disregarded, I saw firsthand the enormous impact it had on individuals and families. This sparked an interest in me to seek a profession in mental health advocacy and support. My academic path demonstrates my dedication to comprehending the complexity of mental health. I am now obtaining a degree in Psychology and have been involved in courses that digs into the complexities of human behavior, mental diseases, and therapeutic approaches. This intellectual foundation gives me the knowledge I need to understand the subtleties of mental health difficulties. Aside from academics, my practical experience in the field has been critical in molding my viewpoint. I have actively participated in volunteer work with local mental health groups, donating my time to assist people experiencing mental health difficulties. These encounters have not only increased my empathy, but also strengthened my belief in the transformational power of compassion and understanding. In the future, I intend to have a broad impact on my community through my mental health career. To begin, I hope to bridge the awareness-to-action gap by organizing community seminars and activities that de-stigmatize mental health issues. Education is critical, and I envision developing easily accessible materials to help people recognize, understand, and manage their mental health issues. Second, I want to build community support networks by working with local healthcare providers and community leaders to construct a comprehensive system of care. This includes pushing for expanded mental health services and ensuring that individuals have access to the resources they require to successfully navigate their mental health journeys. In addition, I am dedicated to supporting mental health at educational institutions. I intend to establish programs that promote mental well-being and provide adolescents with the tools they need to overcome the obstacles of adolescence by collaborating closely with schools. This proactive strategy strives to raise a generation that values mental health from a young age. My experience thus far, together with my academic ambitions and community involvement, qualifies me as a passionate champion for mental health. My complete community impact strategy includes education, collaboration, and proactive actions to create a friendly atmosphere for people dealing with mental health issues. With this scholarship, I hope to amplify my efforts and make a significant contribution to the collective well-being of my community.

Understanding the nature of our cosmos is a community activity that determines the direction of human progress; it surpasses individual curiosity. Exploration of the cosmos not only fulfills our natural curiosity, but it also holds the key to answering fundamental questions about our existence, developing technology, and promoting a global feeling of unity. For starters, digging into the mysteries of the universe helps us understand our origins and the fundamental rules that govern our existence. We learn about the genesis of galaxies, the formation of stars, and the origins of life by unraveling the cosmic tapestry. This knowledge not only satisfies our intellectual curiosity, but also enables us to make educated decisions about our future, informed by a greater grasp of our place in the universe. Furthermore, the desire of cosmic knowledge drives technical advancement. Breakthroughs in astronomy and astrophysics have historically resulted in the development of cutting-edge technology with implications well beyond space exploration. Space research dividends have permeated all facets of our daily life, from satellite communication to medical imaging technologies. Investing in comprehending the cosmos is thus an investment in technical advancement that can benefit society as a whole. Furthermore, cosmic inquiry has the ability to generate a sense of universal unity. International space exploration collaborations, such as the International Space Station, demonstrate how the search of cosmic understanding can transcend state boundaries. Humanity finds common ground in its quest to fathom the vastness of the universe, creating collaboration and solidarity among disparate nations. This collaborative mentality is critical in solving global concerns, such as climate change and pandemics, because it displays the capacity for global action. I intend to use multidisciplinary ways to understand the cosmos, integrating ideas and concepts from diverse scientific areas. The intersection of physics, astronomy, and computer sciences has the potential to open up new dimensions of knowledge. I intend to push the bounds of our cosmic cognition by embracing emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning to sift through large datasets and identify patterns that transcend conventional analysis. To summarize, exploring the universe is more than just a scientific undertaking; it is an endeavor that forms our identity, accelerates technological growth, and fosters worldwide collaboration. We gain significant insights into our existence by uncovering the mysteries of the cosmos, paving the path for a future in which mankind lives on the collective knowledge derived from the enormous expanse of the universe.

I am a dedicated individual with a strong interest in mental health, motivated by a personal path that has influenced my goals. Growing up in a region where mental health was frequently disregarded, I saw firsthand the enormous impact it had on individuals and families. This sparked an interest in me to seek a profession in mental health advocacy and support. My academic path demonstrates my dedication to comprehending the complexity of mental health. I am now obtaining a degree in Psychology and have been involved in courses that digs into the complexities of human behavior, mental diseases, and therapeutic approaches. This intellectual foundation gives me the knowledge I need to understand the subtleties of mental health difficulties. Aside from academics, my practical experience in the field has been critical in molding my viewpoint. I have actively participated in volunteer work with local mental health groups, donating my time to assist people experiencing mental health difficulties. These encounters have not only increased my empathy, but also strengthened my belief in the transformational power of compassion and understanding. In the future, I intend to have a broad impact on my community through my mental health career. To begin, I hope to bridge the awareness-to-action gap by organizing community seminars and activities that de-stigmatize mental health issues. Education is critical, and I envision developing easily accessible materials to help people recognize, understand, and manage their mental health issues. Second, I want to build community support networks by working with local healthcare providers and community leaders to construct a comprehensive system of care. This includes pushing for expanded mental health services and ensuring that individuals have access to the resources they require to successfully navigate their mental health journeys. In addition, I am dedicated to supporting mental health at educational institutions. I intend to establish programs that promote mental well-being and provide adolescents with the tools they need to overcome the obstacles of adolescence by collaborating closely with schools. This proactive strategy strives to raise a generation that values mental health from a young age. My experience thus far, together with my academic ambitions and community involvement, qualifies me as a passionate champion for mental health. My complete community impact strategy includes education, collaboration, and proactive actions to create a friendly atmosphere for people dealing with mental health issues. With this scholarship, I hope to amplify my efforts and make a significant contribution to the collective well-being of my community.

Ever since I was in high school I have always had the passion for making a positive impact on the lives of other people. During my time in high school I was apart of a program called “Delta Gems” we participated in various community service events such as volunteering at food banks, feeding the homeless, and donating care baskets to nursing homes. What inspires me to get involved in my community is how grateful the people are. I live by the Bible verse “it is better to give than it is to receive”. Growing up in the church we would dedicate some of our time to helping our local community. This past weekend we had a food drive where we handed out free groceries and hot meals to people in the surrounding area in collaboration with the Salvation Army. I am continuously doing the work of making a positive influence of change in my community by encouraging my peers to get also get involved. I have joined several organizations and mentoring programs that values community service. I am currently a member of The National Council of Negro Women and the mission is to lead, develop, and to be an advocate for women of African descent as they support their families and communities. Some volunteering projects we have participated in is a hygiene drive where we donated to a women’s shelter “Teague’s Home for Women”. During Thanksgiving we also did a canned food drive for people in need. Currently I volunteer with Manna Church Dream Center where we pass out lunches to a homeless shelter, we also provide bus passes, job opportunities, tents, and any other necessities. I also volunteer at Fayetteville Operation InAsMuch where we pass out hygiene kits and hot meals to the homeless community. Because of my passion to make a difference in the world, I also took on leadership roles on campus for organizations whose mission is to give back to those in need. I am currently the president for Fayetteville State University’s Enactus Team. Enactus is an internationally organization dedicated to inspiring students to improve the world through entrepreneurial action. One of the projects I currently lead is the “Dress for Success” closet. We help to provide opportunities for students to acquire free professional attire for interviews, work, or presentations. We also have the “Sewing for Success” project dedicated to providing career and entrepreneurial skills to local victims of domestic abuse and/or those who are homeless. My plan after graduate studies is to continue doing volunteer work and encourage others to get involved too. I plan to have my children also be volunteers and give back to people in need

What excites me.most about college is the fact that it pushes me to my fullest potential. Being a college student teaches me the importance of going beyond limitations and setting the bar high for others to follow. People that have come before me helped pave the way for me to have access to these opportunities and I take advantage of all opportunities that are presented to me. I'm grateful for the connections and the awards I've obtained during my academic career. Being in school also comes with many challenges and obstacles. It can become stressful and weigh down on your mental health. It is important that you find a balance that works for you so that you don't become so overwhelmed. It's also important to realize you have a community that supports you whether it's your colleages, professors, friends, or family. Me personally I join clubs so that I can meet people with common interests. This benefitted me in various ways and helped me to not isolate myself in my dorm room all the time. The clubs I've joined prioritize taking care of your mental health, as well as educating others on the importance of taking care of your mental health. I also join clubs that focus on volunteering and community service. Whether that be feeding the homeless, doing campus clean ups, or donating hygiene kits to those in need. This helps to give me a sense of purpose and I am grateful that I am in a position to help others. In my free time I also like to take care of my physical health. Being in college it can be easy to neglect your physical health because you're so invested in your studies. I have a monthly gym membership and work out at least 3-4 times a week. I also like to do yoga and stretch which helps to relax me whenever I feel stressed. I like to focus on cardio and strength training. If I can't make it to the gym, then I will go running or walking around my neighborhood. I notice a big difference in my mental wellbeing when I also make sure I do the work to maintain my physical health. I also try to watch what I put in my body because you are what you eat. Speaking from experience I notice when I eat more junk food I become more depressed and anxious. i try to drink alot of water and cut down on fast food which is helpful.

My experience with mental health has influenced my life in many ways. Growing up in a Christian household my family did not really acknowledge the importance of mental health. I had family members who were veterans suffering from PSTD, and because showing any signs of needing help is deemed as "weak" many issues would go untreated. We were taught that mental health issues were just "demons" when actuality our loved ones needed therapy, medication, and assistance. Because of what I have witnessed in my childhood, it inspired me to pursue my degree in psychology. I want to help change someone's life and encourage positive conversations surrounding mental health awareness. People underestimate the importance of acknowledging mental health and it shows in our everyday lives. Countless public shootings, suicides, homicides, etc. can be a result of not getting someone the proper help they need. There are so many people in our society who need therapy and psychological help, and if this goes unrecognized the results can be detrimental to our community. My goal is to have my own practice or become a social worker/counselor. I want to be able to teach future generations and make them aware of the importance of acknowledging mental health. Because of my passion for changing the conversation surrounding mental health, I have joined the organization "Active Minds" whose mission is to empower students to speak openly about mental health in order to educate others and encourage help-seeking. We are changing the culture on campuses and in the community by providing information, leadership opportunities and advocacy training to the next generation. We host events for mental health awareness month, de-stressing for finals, and many more activities that create a safe space for students to learn about the importance of mental health. My experience with mental health has influenced my relationships in many ways. Growing up with a family who did not acknowledge mental health, I have adopted behaviors that have negatively impacted me as a person. There were so many things I had to unlearn. I've developed anxiety that I still struggle with today. It impacted how I communicate with others and my level of empathy. You never know what someone can be battling internally that they never speak on, which is why I always try to be a listening ear and shoulder to cry on. I also understand that it is important not to judge a book by its cover. My experience with mental health has also helped to strengthen my faith in my religion. I have gone through many obstacles that I have overcome. Battling with depression and suicidal thoughts during school was one of the most challenging things I have had to face. My grades suffered tremendously and I felt as though I was a failure. What kept me going was my faith and trust with God. I had to change my outlook on things and I started praying more. This is when I started to see my life change for the better.

My experience with mental health has influenced my life in many ways. Growing up in a Christian household my family did not really acknowledge the importance of mental health. I had family members who were veterans suffering from PSTD, and because showing any signs of needing help is deemed as "weak" many issues would go untreated. We were taught that mental health issues were just "demons" when actuality our loved ones needed therapy, medication, and assistance. Because of what I have witnessed in my childhood, it inspired me to pursue my degree in psychology. I want to help change someone's life and encourage positive conversations surrounding mental health awareness. People underestimate the importance of acknowledging mental health and it shows in our everyday lives. Countless public shootings, suicides, homicides, etc. can be a result of not getting someone the proper help they need. There are so many people in our society who need therapy and psychological help, and if this goes unrecognized the results can be detrimental to our community. My goal is to have my own practice or become a social worker/counselor. I want to be able to teach future generations and make them aware of the importance of acknowledging mental health. Because of my passion for changing the conversation surrounding mental health, I have joined the organization "Active Minds" whose mission is to empower students to speak openly about mental health in order to educate others and encourage help-seeking. We are changing the culture on campuses and in the community by providing information, leadership opportunities and advocacy training to the next generation. We host events for mental health awareness month, de-stressing for finals, and many more activities that create a safe space for students to learn about the importance of mental health. My experience with mental health has influenced my relationships in many ways. Growing up with a family who did not acknowledge mental health, I have adopted behaviors that have negatively impacted me as a person. There were so many things I had to unlearn. I've developed anxiety that I still struggle with today. It impacted how I communicate with others and my level of empathy. You never know what someone can be battling internally that they never speak on, which is why I always try to be a listening ear and shoulder to cry on. I also understand that it is important not to judge a book by its cover. My experience with mental health has also helped to strengthen my faith in my religion. I have gone through many obstacles that I have overcome. Battling with depression and suicidal thoughts during school was one of the most challenging things I have had to face. My grades suffered tremendously and I felt as though I was a failure. What kept me going was my faith and trust with God. I had to change my outlook on things and I started praying more. This is when I started to see my life change for the better.

I am a first year graduate student at North Carolina Central University and I am pursuing my masters in Social Work. My goal is to become licensed to help communities in need. I know what it is like to struggle and not have my needs met so I want to be the change that is necessary in my community. Ever since I was in high school I have always had the passion for making a positive impact on the lives of other people. During my time in high school I was apart of a program called “Delta Gems” we participated in various community service events such as volunteering at food banks, feeding the homeless, and donating care baskets to nursing homes. What inspires me to get involved in my community is how grateful the people are. I live by the Bible verse “it is better to give than it is to receive”. Growing up in the church we would dedicate some of our time to helping our local community. This past weekend we had a food drive where we handed out free groceries and hot meals to people in the surrounding area in collaboration with the Salvation Army. I am continuously doing the work of making a positive influence of change in my community by encouraging my peers to get also get involved. I have joined several organizations and mentoring programs that values community service. I am currently a member of The National Council of Negro Women and the mission is to lead, develop, and to be an advocate for women of African descent as they support their families and communities. Some volunteering projects we have participated in is a hygiene drive where we donated to a women’s shelter “Teague’s Home for Women”. During Thanksgiving we also did a canned food drive for people in need. Currently I volunteer with Manna Church Dream Center where we pass out lunches to a homeless shelter, we also provide bus passes, job opportunities, tents, and any other necessities. I also volunteer at Fayetteville Operation InAsMuch where we pass out hygiene kits and hot meals to the homeless community. Because of my passion to make a difference in the world, I also took on leadership roles on campus for organizations whose mission is to give back to those in need. My plan after graduate studies is to continue doing volunteer work and encourage others to get involved too. I plan to have my children also be volunteers and give back to people in need.

The life of my dreams is being able to give back to my community with the knowledge I've received during college. I am a first year graduate student attending North Carolina Central University. I am also working a full time job at a group home for youth who have struggled with traumatic experiences. I would also love to fund my own scholarships in the future for future students, because I know what it is like to go through financial struggles while trying to chase your dreams. My career choice is to become a counselor, therapist, or social worker. The reason I want to be a social worker is due to my own experiences. The desire to use my own life experiences to better the lives of others is a common motivation for social workers to pursue careers in the profession. I came from an oppressed and underfunded area and growing up was a struggle. I lacked many necessary resources and I wish I had the support I needed to make life easier. I want to help give back to the community and make a positive impact on the lives of other people. My journey to pursuing my career has been far from easy. I've had to make many sacrifices and overcome many obstacles. There were times when I had to pull all-nighters to make sure I study hard enough to get an A on my assignments. I've also had to deal with a lack of funding for my education so I had to work multiple jobs which put a mental, emotional, and physical strain on my body. Receiving this scholarship will help to relieve the financial burden of pursuing my degree. How my degree will improve society is because my chosen career path will assist those suffering from mental health issues. I plan to spread awareness because in my community mental health is something that is often overlooked and not talked about. We are usually taught to “suck it up” and push through any obstacles we are facing. I want minorities to understand the importance of acknowledging mental health issues and that it is okay to need assistance. I am heavily involved both on my campus and in my community because I am big on volunteering and service. Currently, I volunteer with Manna Church Dream Center where we pass out lunches to a homeless shelter, we also provide bus passes, job opportunities, tents, and any other necessities. I also volunteer at Fayetteville Operation InAsMuch where we pass out hygiene kits and hot meals to the homeless community. What inspires me to get involved in my community is how grateful the people are. I live by the Bible verse “it is better to give than it is to receive”. Growing up in the church we would dedicate some of our time to helping our local community. My plan after graduate studies in social work is to get my license to be a counselor and help give back to people in need. More specifically I want to help at-risk youth who may not have the resources to be set up for success.

When I think of the word perseverance I think of prevailing despite all obstacles in challenges. We all have a story and come from different walks of life, but it is up to us to decide whether or not we will use this as a crutch or as motivation for success. Growing up I had to deal with financial struggles during my academic career. I came from a single parent household and we were a low income family. My mom was supporting both my sister and I with little to no help from our fathers. My mother had to work multiple jobs so we did not get to spend much time with her. I could tell that the financial burden was taking a toll on her mentally and physically. It hurt to see her like this knowing there wasn't much I could do to help her. We had to receive help from others such as family and loved ones. We also had to deal with living with others and sometimes had to move from house to house because at one point we were homeless. I noticed my peers would have more than me whether it be access to academic resources, clothing, etc. Even though we did not have much in comparison to other students, my mom always made sure to remind my sister and I that no one was any better than us and that we have just as much to offer in this world. She did not allow us to slack off and made sure to push us to our fullest potential. For that I will always thank her and plan to give back to her once I am successful in my career. Despite not having the necessary resources and funding I still always prioritized my studies. Due to my determination to pursue higher education I was granted opportunities and networked with people who were willing to contribute to my education and extracurricular endeavors. I did not use my struggles as an excuse, instead I used them as a stepping stone towards achieving my goals. I make sure to remember why I started my journey to becoming educated and where I come from. During my time in school I have joined numerous clubs and took on leadership roles. I also volunteer to give back to the community and future generations to come to show them that you can be better than where you come from. Nothing worth having will come easy, and this is what motivates me to persevere through hardships and continue achieving my goals.

When I think of the word perseverance I think of prevailing despite all obstacles in challenges. We all have a story and come from different walks of life, but it is up to us to decide whether or not we will use this as a crutch or as motivation for success. Growing up I had to deal with financial struggles during my academic career. I came from a single parent household and we were a low income family. My mom was supporting both my sister and I with little to no help from our fathers. My mother had to work multiple jobs so we did not get to spend much time with her. I could tell that the financial burden was taking a toll on her mentally and physically. It hurt to see her like this knowing there wasn't much I could do to help her. We had to receive help from others such as family and loved ones. We also had to deal with living with others and sometimes had to move from house to house because at one point we were homeless. I noticed my peers would have more than me whether it be access to academic resources, clothing, etc. Even though we did not have much in comparison to other students, my mom always made sure to remind my sister and I that no one was any better than us and that we have just as much to offer in this world. She did not allow us to slack off and made sure to push us to our fullest potential. For that I will always thank her and plan to give back to her once I am successful in my career. Despite not having the necessary resources and funding I still always prioritized my studies. Due to my determination to pursue higher education I was granted opportunities and networked with people who were willing to contribute to my education and extracurricular endeavors. I did not use my struggles as an excuse, instead I used them as a stepping stone towards achieving my goals. I make sure to remember why I started my journey to becoming educated and where I come from. During my time in school I have joined numerous clubs and took on leadership roles. I also volunteer to give back to the community and future generations to come to show them that you can be better than where you come from. Nothing worth having will come easy, and this is what motivates me to persevere through hardships and continue achieving my goals. My plan to help my community in the future is to continue doing volunteer work. i also plan to get my masters in Social Work and hopefully become licensed. This way I can help minorities and others in need.

The dream version of my future self is someone who is able to give back to their community and create better resources for future generations.

My career choice is to become a counselor, therapist, or social worker. I am currently attending Fayetteville State University majoring in Psychology with a minor in Social Work. The reason I want to be a social worker is due to my own experiences. The desire to use my own life experiences to better the lives of others is a common motivation for social workers to pursue careers in the profession. I came from an oppressed and underfunded area and growing up was a struggle. I lacked many necessary resources and I wish I had the support I needed to make life easier. I want to help give back to the community and make a positive impact on the lives of other people. My journey to pursuing my career has been far from easy. I've had to make many sacrifices and overcome many obstacles. There were times when I had to pull all-nighters to make sure I study hard enough to get an A on my assignments. I've also had to deal with a lack of funding for my education so I had to work multiple jobs which put a mental, emotional, and physical strain on my body. Receiving this scholarship will help to relieve the financial burden of pursuing my degree. How my degree will improve society is because my chosen career path will assist those suffering from mental health issues. I plan to spread awareness because in my community mental health is something that is often overlooked and not talked about. We are usually taught to “suck it up” and push through any obstacles we are facing. I want minorities to understand the importance of acknowledging mental health issues and that it is okay to need assistance. I am heavily involved both on my campus and in my community because I am big on volunteering and service. Currently, I volunteer with Manna Church Dream Center where we pass out lunches to a homeless shelter, we also provide bus passes, job opportunities, tents, and any other necessities. I also volunteer at Fayetteville Operation InAsMuch where we pass out hygiene kits and hot meals to the homeless community. What inspires me to get involved in my community is how grateful the people are. I live by the Bible verse “it is better to give than it is to receive”. Growing up in the church we would dedicate some of our time to helping our local community. My plan after graduate studies in social work is to get my license to be a counselor and help give back to people in need. More specifically I want to help at-risk youth who may not have the resources to be set up for success.

My experience with mental health has influenced my life in many ways. Growing up in a Christian household my family did not really acknowledge the importance of mental health. I had family members who were veterans suffering from PSTD, and because showing any signs of needing help is deemed as "weak" many issues would go untreated. We were taught that mental health issues were just "demons" when actuality our loved ones needed therapy, medication, and assistance. Because of what I have witnessed in my childhood, it inspired me to pursue my degree in psychology. I want to help change someone's life and encourage positive conversations surrounding mental health awareness. People underestimate the importance of acknowledging mental health and it shows in our everyday lives. Countless public shootings, suicides, homicides, etc. can be a result of not getting someone the proper help they need. There are so many people in our society who need therapy and psychological help, and if this goes unrecognized the results can be detrimental to our community. My goal is to have my own practice or become a social worker/counselor. I want to be able to teach future generations and make them aware of the importance of acknowledging mental health. Because of my passion for changing the conversation surrounding mental health, I have joined the organization "Active Minds" whose mission is to empower students to speak openly about mental health in order to educate others and encourage help-seeking. We are changing the culture on campuses and in the community by providing information, leadership opportunities and advocacy training to the next generation. We host events for mental health awareness month, de-stressing for finals, and many more activities that create a safe space for students to learn about the importance of mental health. My experience with mental health has influenced my relationships in many ways. Growing up with a family who did not acknowledge mental health, I have adopted behaviors that have negatively impacted me as a person. There were so many things I had to unlearn. I've developed anxiety that I still struggle with today. It impacted how I communicate with others and my level of empathy. You never know what someone can be battling internally that they never speak on, which is why I always try to be a listening ear and shoulder to cry on. I also understand that it is important not to judge a book by its cover. My experience with mental health has also helped to strengthen my faith in my religion. I have gone through many obstacles that I have overcome. Battling with depression and suicidal thoughts during school was one of the most challenging things I have had to face. My grades suffered tremendously and I felt as though I was a failure. What kept me going was my faith and trust with God. I had to change my outlook on things and I started praying more. This is when I started to see my life change for the better. My grades have improved and I have been placed on the Dean’s and Chancellor’s list due to my academic achievements.

My career choice is to become a counselor, therapist, or social worker. I am currently attending Fayetteville State University majoring in Psychology with a minor in Social Work. The reason I want to be a social worker is due to my own experiences. The desire to use my own life experiences to better the lives of others is a common motivation for social workers to pursue careers in the profession. I came from an oppressed and underfunded area and growing up was a struggle. I lacked many necessary resources and I wish I had the support I needed to make life easier. I want to help give back to the community and make a positive impact on the lives of other people. My journey to pursuing my career has been far from easy. I've had to make many sacrifices and overcome many obstacles. There were times when I had to pull all-nighters to make sure I study hard enough to get an A on my assignments. I've also had to deal with a lack of funding for my education so I had to work multiple jobs which put a mental, emotional, and physical strain on my body. Receiving this scholarship will help to relieve the financial burden of pursuing my degree. How my degree will improve society is because my chosen career path will assist those suffering from mental health issues. I plan to spread awareness because in my community mental health is something that is often overlooked and not talked about. We are usually taught to “suck it up” and push through any obstacles we are facing. I want minorities to understand the importance of acknowledging mental health issues and that it is okay to need assistance. I am heavily involved both on my campus and in my community because I am big on volunteering and service. Currently, I volunteer with Manna Church Dream Center where we pass out lunches to a homeless shelter, we also provide bus passes, job opportunities, tents, and any other necessities. I also volunteer at Fayetteville Operation InAsMuch where we pass out hygiene kits and hot meals to the homeless community. What inspires me to get involved in my community is how grateful the people are. I live by the Bible verse “it is better to give than it is to receive”. Growing up in the church we would dedicate some of our time to helping our local community. My plan after graduate studies in social work is to get my license to be a counselor and help give back to people in need. More specifically I want to help at-risk youth who may not have the resources to be set up for success.

My career choice is to become a counselor, therapist, or social worker. I am currently attending Fayetteville State University majoring in Psychology with a minor in Social Work. The reason I want to be a social worker is due to my own experiences. The desire to use my own life experiences to better the lives of others is a common motivation for social workers to pursue careers in the profession. I came from an oppressed and underfunded area and growing up was a struggle. I lacked many necessary resources and I wish I had the support I needed to make life easier. I want to help give back to the community and make a positive impact on the lives of other people. My journey to pursuing my career has been far from easy. I've had to make many sacrifices and overcome many obstacles. There were times when I had to pull all-nighters to make sure I study hard enough to get an A on my assignments. I've also had to deal with a lack of funding for my education so I had to work multiple jobs which put a mental, emotional, and physical strain on my body. Receiving this scholarship will help to relieve the financial burden of pursuing my degree. How my degree will improve society is because my chosen career path will assist those suffering from mental health issues. I plan to spread awareness because in my community mental health is something that is often overlooked and not talked about. We are usually taught to “suck it up” and push through any obstacles we are facing. I want minorities to understand the importance of acknowledging mental health issues and that it is okay to need assistance. I am heavily involved both on my campus and in my community because I am big on volunteering and service. Currently, I volunteer with Manna Church Dream Center where we pass out lunches to a homeless shelter, we also provide bus passes, job opportunities, tents, and any other necessities. I also volunteer at Fayetteville Operation InAsMuch where we pass out hygiene kits and hot meals to the homeless community. What inspires me to get involved in my community is how grateful the people are. I live by the Bible verse “it is better to give than it is to receive”. Growing up in the church we would dedicate some of our time to helping our local community. My plan after graduate studies in social work is to get my license to be a counselor and help give back to people in need. More specifically I want to help at-risk youth who may not have the resources to be set up for success.

Ever since I was in high school I have always had the passion for making a positive impact on the lives of other people. During my time in high school I was apart of a program called “Delta Gems” we participated in various community service events such as volunteering at food banks, feeding the homeless, and donating care baskets to nursing homes. What inspires me to get involved in my community is how grateful the people are. I live by the Bible verse “it is better to give than it is to receive”. Growing up in the church we would dedicate some of our time to helping our local community. This past weekend we had a food drive where we handed out free groceries and hot meals to people in the surrounding area in collaboration with the Salvation Army. I am continuously doing the work of making a positive influence of change in my community by encouraging my peers to get also get involved. I have joined several organizations and mentoring programs that values community service. I am currently a member of The National Council of Negro Women and the mission is to lead, develop, and to be an advocate for women of African descent as they support their families and communities. Some volunteering projects we have participated in is a hygiene drive where we donated to a women’s shelter “Teague’s Home for Women”. During Thanksgiving we also did a canned food drive for people in need. Currently I volunteer with Manna Church Dream Center where we pass out lunches to a homeless shelter, we also provide bus passes, job opportunities, tents, and any other necessities. I also volunteer at Fayetteville Operation InAsMuch where we pass out hygiene kits and hot meals to the homeless community. Because of my passion to make a difference in the world, I also took on leadership roles on campus for organizations whose mission is to give back to those in need. I am currently the president for Fayetteville State University’s Enactus Team. Enactus is an internationally organization dedicated to inspiring students to improve the world through entrepreneurial action. One of the projects I currently lead is the “Dress for Success” closet. We help to provide opportunities for students to acquire free professional attire for interviews, work, or presentations. We also have the “Sewing for Success” project dedicated to providing career and entrepreneurial skills to local victims of domestic abuse and/or those who are homeless. What I have learned about myself is that I have a great passion to help and serve others. My plan after graduate studies is to continue doing volunteer work and encourage others to get involved too. I plan to have my children also be volunteers and give back to people in need.

My name is Tai Pruitt and I currently attend Fayetteville State University. I am majoring in Psychology with a minor in Social Work. My plan in the future is to help give back to my community by enriching our people in the importance of mental health. I want to be able to provide services to underprivileged youth because where I come from, a lot of children are struggling with having their needs met. Being a student who prioritizes higher education, having the burden of student loan debt can be a significant source of stress. I grew up without the necessary resources and funding needed for school and extracurricular activities, but through my determination and perseverance I still made a way with no way. Currently I am a single 23 year old working a full time job while also being a full time student juggling 9 extracurricular clubs, and also holding leadership positions. I currently do not receive financial assistance through my parents, so my plan to pay off my student loan debt is to pay a little of it at time each month once I receive my checks. I am very big on creating a set budget so I can make sure I am paying all bills and expenses in a timely manner. This can be a bit challenging on a fixed income. My next plan of action was to apply for scholarships to help cover the expenses of my academic career. Receiving this scholarship will be a huge honor, and help me to pursue my passion of helping others. I have always been one to value hard work and dedication to your dreams and goals. Everyday I make plans to help reach all of my dreams and passions. My goal once I have all of my student loan debt paid off is to create scholarships for future generations of youth in the same shoes as me. I am very big on giving back to the community that helped to shape who I am as a person today. Being a college student who understands the financial stress of being in school, I want to help relieve this stress so that upcoming professionals can pursue their careers to the best of their ability. College students are our future for society, and it’s important to support them to the highest degree. There are several students out there who have the ability to make a positive change in the world, but they are unable to do so due to not having available funding. If I am granted the opportunity to receiving this funding, I will be able to continue my education without the financial stress, thus improving my mental health and grades. I can further my education by pursuing my masters degree. I will then use my knowledge to give back to others and help better my community.

Success does not happen right away. You have to be willing to put in the effort and devote for the rest of your life to achieve it. You also have to have the right people in your corner to help you on this path to success. My coaches, mentors, and mother come to mind when I consider the people who assisted in paving the way for my achievement. It is because of them that I am motivated to work harder, smarter, and more effectively than I did the day before. Great ideas are transformed into great accomplishments because of motivation. Our motivation is what pushes us to complete tasks! When someone plans or desires to accomplish anything, they have a motive for that particular action. ​A person who helped guide me to the path of success is my mom. She has affected my life greatly and has helped me become the person I am today. She always says the right things to get me where I need to be and get done what I need done. My mom always instilled confidence in me and let me know that despite where I come from I still have just as much talent and intelligence as the next person. She always encouraged my sister and I to work ten times as hard as everyone else. I was taught to have discipline and respect at a very young age, and I carried these lessons into adulthood. My mother was very strict when it came to academics and she made sure that she found a way to keep us involved in school and in our community. She is the reason I have such determination and will power now as an adult. My mom was not always perfect, but she did the best she could with the little that she had. She always supported my interests and dreams. Anytime I would doubt myself, she was always there for me to encourage me to persevere through any fears of self-doubt. Despite not always having the same resources as those around me, she will always remind me to not make excuses for myself and she still held me to a very high standard. Because of this I actually value hard work and ethic. She encouraged me to continue my education in college while I was a senior in high school. To tell the truth I had so much anxiety about my ability to actually graduate. She helped me fill out applications and I was finally accepted into my dream school. Being in school is not easy, especially being so young I was not used to being away from her and went through depression. I was not doing so well in my courses and was dealing with anxiety and thoughts of suicide. During these troubling times she would always remind me of how strong I am and she made sure I knew she would always be there for me. My mom always had my best interests in mind while I was attending school and she continuously supported me financially even when she had the means to do so. She has served as my mentor, teacher, and counselor. She is the reason I now have the outgoing, and positive outlook on life that I have now. She encourages me to be determined to get the most out of my education. Because of her I am hopeful to achieve my future goals. She has positively motivated me in many different ways, and I am glad to have her as my mother.

My career choice is to become a counselor, therapist, or social worker. I am currently attending Fayetteville State University majoring in Psychology with a minor in Social Work. The reason I want to be a social worker is due to my own personal experiences. The desire to use my own life experiences to better the lives of others is a common motivation for social workers to pursue careers in the profession. I came from an oppressed and underfunded area and growing up was a struggle. I lacked many necessary resources and I wish I had the support I needed to make life easier. I want to help give back to the community and make a positive impact on the lives of other people. My journey to pursuing my career has been far from easy. I've had to make many sacrifices and overcome many obstacles. There were times where I had to pull all nighters to make sure I study hard enough to get an A on my assignments. I've also had to deal with lack of funding for my education so I had to work multiple jobs which put a mental, emotional, and physical strain on my body. Receiving this scholarship will help to relieve the financial burden of pursuing my degree. How my degree will improve society is because my chosen career path will assist those suffering with mental health issues. I plan to spread awareness because in my community mental health is something that is often overlooked and not talked about. We are usually taught to “suck it up” and push through any obstacles we are facing. I want minorities to understand the importance of acknowledging mental health issues and that it is okay to need assistance. I am heavily involved both on my campus and in my community because I am big on volunteering and service. Currently I volunteer with Manna Church Dream Center where we pass out lunches to a homeless shelter, we also provide bus passes, job opportunities, tents, and any other necessities. I also volunteer at Fayetteville Operation InAsMuch where we pass out hygiene kits and hot meals to the homeless community. What inspires me to get involved in my community is how grateful the people are. I live by the Bible verse “it is better to give than it is to receive”. Growing up in the church we would dedicate some of our time to helping our local community. My plan after graduate studies in social work is to get my license to be a counselor and help give back to people in need. More specifically I want to help at risk youth who may not have the resources to be set up for success.

My name is Tai Pruitt and I currently attend Fayetteville State University. I am majoring in Psychology with a minor in Social Work. My plan in the future is to help give back to my community by enriching our people in the importance of mental health. I want to be able to provide services to underprivileged youth because where I come from, a lot of children are struggling with having their needs met. Ever since I was in high school it was always a dream of mine to attend an HBCU. The reason I wanted to go to an HBCU is because I love the representation of black people. I enjoy being surrounded by people who look like me who are like-minded and are pursuing higher education. What I enjoy about attending an HBCU is the rich history and the school pride. Everyone is honored to be apart of the rich history and traditions of the institution. I want to also encourage my future children to attend an HBCU and make it a family tradition. I feel like the experience of attending an HBCU is much more enjoyable and the atmosphere is different in comparison to other institutions. You make connections with people who look like you and want to see the advancement of colored people.

When I think of the word perseverance I think of prevailing despite all obstacles in challenges. We all have a story and come from different walks of life, but it is up to us to decide whether or not we will use this as a crutch or as motivation for success. Growing up I had to deal with financial struggles during my academic career. I came from a single parent household and we were a low income family. My mom was supporting both my sister and I with little to no help from our fathers. My mother had to work multiple jobs so we did not get to spend much time with her. I could tell that the financial burden was taking a toll on her mentally and physically. It hurt to see her like this knowing there wasn't much I could do to help her. We had to receive help from others such as family and loved ones. We also had to deal with living with others and sometimes had to move from house to house because at one point we were homeless. I noticed my peers would have more than me whether it be access to academic resources, clothing, etc. Even though we did not have much in comparison to other students, my mom always made sure to remind my sister and I that no one was any better than us and that we have just as much to offer in this world. She did not allow us to slack off and made sure to push us to our fullest potential. For that I will always thank her and plan to give back to her once I am successful in my career. Despite not having the necessary resources and funding I still always prioritized my studies. Due to my determination to pursue higher education I was granted opportunities and networked with people who were willing to contribute to my education and extracurricular endeavors. I did not use my struggles as an excuse, instead I used them as a stepping stone towards achieving my goals. I make sure to remember why I started my journey to becoming educated and where I come from. During my time in school I have joined numerous clubs and took on leadership roles. I also volunteer to give back to the community and future generations to come to show them that you can be better than where you come from. Nothing worth having will come easy, and this is what motivates me to persevere through hardships and continue achieving my goals.

My name is Tai Pruitt, I am currently a senior at Fayetteville State University. I am majoring in Psychology with a minor in Social Work. I plan to use my education to make a difference in the world and on the lives of others. My own personal experiences with substance abuse is what motivates me to pursue an education that help to change lives. Coming from a family with a history of alcohol and drug abuse I have learned these behaviors and coping mechanisms which took a negative impact in my life. Having family members who deal with alcohol and drug abuse impacted my relationships in many ways. I feel as though some of my relatives would turn to the coping mechanisms because they did not understand how to properly deal with their emotions. Expressing your issues was seen as a sign of weakness and you were always taught to suck it up and keep pushing. They would turn to the only things they knew could help soothe them. Because of this, many traumas that they faced went unhealed and unacknowledged. This led to a lot of arguments and sometimes even physical altercations. Growing up around this environment contributed to my interactions, relationships, and anxiety. Being young and in college you feel as if you often don't have any direction or support. There's this feeling like you don't want to burden others around you with your problems, so you turn to a coping mechanism that may not always be healthy. I drank often to help deal with my emotions which I am not proud of. An eye opener for me was one night I blacked out and ended up at an unknown location. I had a friend who made sure I was safe and I am thankful for them till this very day. I have stopped drinking alcohol since then and my life has changed for the better. Physically and mentally my health has improved so much. I found that I was surrounding myself with people who encouraged my unhealthy habits so limiting myself from these people helped to improve my life. How I plan to educate and help others with substance use disorder is by pursuing my masters degree and starting my own practice. My goal is to possibly be a therapist, counselor, or social worker. I want to help people in need and be a support system, which is what I wish I had growing up. I know what it is like to struggle and feel as though you have no one to turn to. I want to be to provide resources to help others recover from addiction and have a chance at a better future.

My career choice is to become a counselor, therapist, or social worker. I am currently attending Fayetteville State University majoring in Psychology with a minor in Social Work. The reason I want to be a social worker is due to my own personal experiences. The desire to use my own life experiences to better the lives of others is a common motivation for social workers to pursue careers in the profession. I came from an oppressed and underfunded area and growing up was a struggle. I lacked many necessary resources and I wish I had the support I needed to make life easier. I want to help give back to the community and make a positive impact on the lives of other people. My journey to pursuing my career has been far from easy. I've had to make many sacrifices and overcome many obstacles. There were times where I had to pull all nighters to make sure I study hard enough to get an A on my assignments. I've also had to deal with lack of funding for my education so I had to work multiple jobs which put a mental, emotional, and physical strain on my body. Receiving this scholarship will help to relieve the financial burden of pursuing my degree. How my degree will improve society is because my chosen career path will assist those suffering with mental health issues. I plan to spread awareness because in my community mental health is something that is often overlooked and not talked about. We are usually taught to “suck it up” and push through any obstacles we are facing. I want minorities to understand the importance of acknowledging mental health issues and that it is okay to need assistance. I am heavily involved both on my campus and in my community because I am big on volunteering and service. Currently I volunteer with Manna Church Dream Center where we pass out lunches to a homeless shelter, we also provide bus passes, job opportunities, tents, and any other necessities. I also volunteer at Fayetteville Operation InAsMuch where we pass out hygiene kits and hot meals to the homeless community. What inspires me to get involved in my community is how grateful the people are. I live by the Bible verse “it is better to give than it is to receive”. Growing up in the church we would dedicate some of our time to helping our local community. This past weekend we had a food drive where we handed out free groceries and hot meals to people in the surrounding area in collaboration with the Salvation Army. My plan after graduate studies in social work is to continue doing volunteer work and encourage others to get involved too. I plan to have my children also be volunteers and give back to people in need.

When I think of the word perseverance I think of prevailing despite all obstacles in challenges. We all have a story and come from different walks of life, but it is up to us to decide whether or not we will use this as a crutch or as motivation for success. Growing up I had to deal with financial struggles during my academic career. I came from a single parent household and we were a low income family. My mom was supporting both my sister and I with little to no help from our fathers. My mother had to work multiple jobs so we did not get to spend much time with her. I could tell that the financial burden was taking a toll on her mentally and physically. It hurt to see her like this knowing there wasn't much I could do to help her. We had to receive help from others such as family and loved ones. We also had to deal with living with others and sometimes had to move from house to house because at one point we were homeless. I noticed my peers would have more than me whether it be access to academic resources, clothing, etc. Even though we did not have much in comparison to other students, my mom always made sure to remind my sister and I that no one was any better than us and that we have just as much to offer in this world. She did not allow us to slack off and made sure to push us to our fullest potential. For that I will always thank her and plan to give back to her once I am successful in my career. Despite not having the necessary resources and funding I still always prioritized my studies. Due to my determination to pursue higher education I was granted opportunities and networked with people who were willing to contribute to my education and extracurricular endeavors. I did not use my struggles as an excuse, instead I used them as a stepping stone towards achieving my goals. I make sure to remember why I started my journey to becoming educated and where I come from. During my time in school I have joined numerous clubs and took on leadership roles. I also volunteer to give back to the community and future generations to come to show them that you can be better than where you come from. Nothing worth having will come easy, and this is what motivates me to persevere through hardships and continue achieving my goals.

When I think of the word perseverance I think of prevailing despite all obstacles in challenges. We all have a story and come from different walks of life, but it is up to us to decide whether or not we will use this as a crutch or as motivation for success. My career goal is to become a counselor, therapist, or social worker. My own personal experiences with growing up in poverty and facing oppression is what motivated me to choose this career path. I would shadow my aunt who is a Social Worker and I really admired how dedicated she was to improving the lives of others. During these challenging times of COVID-19 us college students had to persevere through various challenges. One of the many issues I had to face was depression. COVID occurred during a time where I was starting to feel comfortable stepping out of my comfort zone. I've always been shy and introverted and felt like I never fit in anywhere. I started gaining the confidence to join different clubs and meet new people. Once the pandemic happened we were all forced to leave campus immediately and quarantine. I felt very alone and useless during that time. All classes were online so that feeling of closeness you get in a classroom setting is gone. I also had family members who battled with COVID, so seeing how that impacted their physical and mental health took a toll on me knowing that there wasn't anything I could do. Your grades also start to slip because of the sudden switch to all classes being online. There are just some courses that you benefit more from having in person, so this definitely contributed to the obstacles I had to face. I also had to deal with financial struggles during my academic career. I came from a single parent household and we were a low income family. Learning to face hardships impacted my relationships both positively and negatively. The pros to having to face hardships are it prepared me for whatever life throws my way. I value hard work ethic and perseverence. The cons to having to experience hardships is it made me hyper-independent. I rarely ask for help even when I do need it. I am still trying to work on this and allow others to help me when needed. Despite not having the necessary resources and funding I still always prioritized my studies. Due to my determination to pursue higher education I was granted opportunities and networked with people who were willing to contribute to my education and extracurricular endeavors. I did not use my struggles as an excuse, instead I used them as a stepping stone towards achieving my goals. I make sure to remember why I started my journey to being educated and where I come from. During my time in school I have joined numerous clubs and took on leadership roles. I also volunteer to give back to the community and future generations to come to show them that you can be better than where you come from. Nothing worth having will come easy, and this is what motivates me to persevere through hardships and continue achieving my goals.

My name is Tai Pruitt and I currently attend Fayetteville State University. I am majoring in Psychology with a minor in Social Work. Ever since I was in high school it was always a dream of mine to attend an HBCU. The reason I wanted to go to an HBCU is because I love the representation of black people. I enjoy being surrounded by people who look like me who are like-minded and are pursuing higher education. What I enjoy about attending an HBCU is the rich history and the school pride. Everyone is honored to be apart of the rich history and traditions of the institution. I want to also encourage my future children to attend an HBCU and make it a family tradition. I feel like the experience of attending an HBCU is much more enjoyable and the atmosphere is different in comparison to other institutions. You make connections with people who look like you and want to see the advancement of colored people. During my time at my HBCU I have joined numerous clubs and organizations whose goal is to advance the lives of black people. I am currently apart of Fayetteville State University's collegiate section of NAACP and The National Council of Negro Women. We help to spread awareness about the issues that people of color face and we also host events to give back to our campus and community.

My career choice is to become a counselor, therapist, or social worker. I am currently attending Fayetteville State University majoring in Psychology with a minor in Social Work. The reason I want to be a social worker is due to my own personal experiences. The desire to use my own life experiences to better the lives of others is a common motivation for social workers to pursue careers in the profession. These difficulties could include mental health problems, violence, poverty, and discrimination. A social worker is required to have a lot of empathy, emotional fortitude, and innovative problem-solving abilities. As a result, social workers frequently have personal challenges at work. They must continuously learn, develop, and grow. Social workers are in a unique position to improve people's lives, communities, and the world at large. It's a sought-after job that's also hard and fulfilling. The main goal of the social work profession is to improve people's well-being and assist in providing for their fundamental and complicated needs, with a concentration on those who are weak, oppressed, and living in poverty. The focus on the individual and their environment sets social work apart from other occupations. Social workers deal with the outside forces that affect an individual's circumstances and viewpoint. Additionally, we foster chances for assessment and intervention in order to assist clients and communities in efficiently coping with their reality and, if necessary, changing it. To assist clients and communities deal with their reality and alter it when necessary, we establish chances for assessment and intervention. Social workers support their patients by assisting them in addressing both their feelings and what they can do to change a situation. The reason I am so passionate about becoming a social worker is because of the environment I grew up in. I came from an oppressed and underfunded area and growing up was a struggle. I lacked many necessary resources and I wish I had the support I needed to make life easier. I want to help give back to the community and make a positive impact on the lives of other people. My journey to pursuing my career has been far from easy. I've had to make many sacrifices and overcome many obstacles. There were times where I had to pull all nighters to make sure I study hard enough to get an A on my assignments. I've also had to deal with lack of funding for my education so I had to work multiple jobs which put a mental, emotional, and physical strain on my body. Receiving this scholarship will help to relieve the financial burden of pursuing my degree. How my degree will improve the health of minorities is because my chosen career path will assist those suffering with mental health issues. I plan to spread awareness because in my community mental health is something that is often overlooked and not talked about. We are usually taught to “suck it up” and push through any obstacles we are facing. I want minorities to understand the importance of acknowledging mental health issues and that it is okay to need assistance.

My career choice is to become a counselor, therapist, or social worker. I am currently attending Fayetteville State University majoring in Psychology with a minor in Social Work. The reason I want to be a social worker is due to my own personal experiences. The desire to use my own life experiences to better the lives of others is a common motivation for social workers to pursue careers in the profession. These difficulties could include mental health problems, violence, poverty, and discrimination. A social worker is required to have a lot of empathy, emotional fortitude, and innovative problem-solving abilities. As a result, social workers frequently have personal challenges at work. They must continuously learn, develop, and grow. Social workers are in a unique position to improve people's lives, communities, and the world at large. It's a sought-after job that's also hard and fulfilling. The main goal of the social work profession is to improve people's well-being and assist in providing for their fundamental and complicated needs, with a concentration on those who are weak, oppressed, and living in poverty. The focus on the individual and their environment sets social work apart from other occupations. Social workers deal with the outside forces that affect an individual's circumstances and viewpoint. Additionally, we foster chances for assessment and intervention in order to assist clients and communities in efficiently coping with their reality and, if necessary, changing it. To assist clients and communities deal with their reality and alter it when necessary, we establish chances for assessment and intervention. Social workers support their patients by assisting them in addressing both their feelings and what they can do to change a situation. The reason I am so passionate about becoming a social worker is because of the environment I grew up in. I came from an oppressed and underfunded area and growing up was a struggle. I lacked many necessary resources and I wish I had the support I needed to make life easier. I want to help give back to the community and make a positive impact on the lives of other people. My journey to pursuing my career has been far from easy. I've had to make many sacrifices and overcome many obstacles. There were times where I had to pull all nighters to make sure I study hard enough to get an A on my assignments. I've also had to deal with lack of funding for my education so I had to work multiple jobs which put a mental, emotional, and physical strain on my body. Receiving this scholarship will help to relieve the financial burden of pursuing my degree.

My name is Tai Pruitt and I'm from Fayetteville, NC. I currently attend Fayetteville State University and I'm a Senior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Social Work. What motivates me is the fact that I can make a difference in the lives of other people by my chosen career path. I love studying problems in our community and finding ways to help alleviate these issues. If I could do anything with my life I would become a counselor, therapist, or social worker. I imagine myself working with people in need to help make a difference on the lives of others. What excites me about STEM is the research we do in our field. How I can make a positive in the world is by using this research to help further Psychology. People who pursue STEM education get abilities that increase their employability and readiness to fill current job openings. It includes the full spectrum of abilities and experiences. Each STEM element contributes significantly to a well-rounded education. Learners gain a thorough awareness of the world around them through science. You can better understand yourself and other people by studying psychology. Students also learn about the intricate connections between human behavior and the environment in which they live, as well as about the influence of culture, human motivation, the impact of personalities on daily conduct, and much more. Innovation in science and technology depends on psychological knowledge. Human operators are necessary for the application of technology, and putting technical advancements into practice requires an awareness of human capabilities and limitations. However, psychology is frequently left off the list of fundamental fields, or STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and math), that have made significant contributions to advancements in science and technology. Another reason I am passionate about STEM is because of the lack of representation for black women in the fields. The representation of women in STEM fields varies greatly. Women make up a sizable majority of all employees in fields related to health, but they continue to be underrepresented in fields like engineering, computing, and the physical sciences. In comparison to the proportion of the population they make up, Black and Hispanic people are not as represented among STEM college graduates, and fewer of them are obtaining STEM degrees than other types of degrees. I want to also pursue a degree in STEM to diversify the field. I want future generations of girls to see women who look like them and encourage them to pursue a degree in STEM.

My career choice is to become a counselor, therapist, or social worker. I am currently attending Fayetteville State University majoring in Psychology with a minor in Social Work. The reason I want to be a social worker is due to my own personal experiences. The desire to use my own life experiences to better the lives of others is a common motivation for social workers to pursue careers in the profession. These difficulties could include mental health problems, violence, poverty, and discrimination. A social worker is required to have a lot of empathy, emotional fortitude, and innovative problem-solving abilities. As a result, social workers frequently have personal challenges at work. They must continuously learn, develop, and grow. Social workers are in a unique position to improve people's lives, communities, and the world at large. It's a sought-after job that's also hard and fulfilling. The main goal of the social work profession is to improve people's well-being and assist in providing for their fundamental and complicated needs, with a concentration on those who are weak, oppressed, and living in poverty. The focus on the individual and their environment sets social work apart from other occupations. Social workers deal with the outside forces that affect an individual's circumstances and viewpoint. Additionally, we foster chances for assessment and intervention in order to assist clients and communities in efficiently coping with their reality and, if necessary, changing it. To assist clients and communities deal with their reality and alter it when necessary, we establish chances for assessment and intervention. Social workers support their patients by assisting them in addressing both their feelings and what they can do to change a situation. The reason I am so passionate about becoming a social worker is because of the environment I grew up in. I came from an oppressed and underfunded area and growing up was a struggle. I lacked many necessary resources and I wish I had the support I needed to make life easier. I want to help give back to the community and make a positive impact on the lives of other people. My journey to pursuing my career has been far from easy. I've had to make many sacrifices and overcome many obstacles. There were times where I had to pull all nighters to make sure I study hard enough to get an A on my assignments. I've also had to deal with lack of funding for my education so I had to work multiple jobs which put a mental, emotional, and physical strain on my body. I do not regret these sacrifices one bit because I am truly passionate about becoming a social worker.

My experience with mental health has influenced my life in many ways. Growing up in a Christian household my family did not really acknowledge the importance of mental health. I had family members who were veterans suffering from PSTD, and because showing any signs of needing help is deemed as "weak" many issues would go untreated. We were taught that mental health issues were just "demons" when actuality our loved ones needed therapy, medication, and assistance. Because of what I have witnessed in my childhood, it inspired me to pursue my degree in psychology. I want to help change someone's life and encourage positive conversations surrounding mental health awareness. People underestimate the importance of acknowledging mental health and it shows in our everyday lives. Countless public shootings, suicides, homicides, etc. can be a result of not getting someone the proper help they need. There are so many people in our society who need therapy and psychological help, and if this goes unrecognized the results can be detrimental to our community. My goal is to have my own practice or become a social worker/counselor. I want to be able to teach future generations and make them aware of the importance of acknowledging mental health. Because of my passion for changing the conversation surrounding mental health, I have joined the organization "Active Minds" whose mission is to empower students to speak openly about mental health in order to educate others and encourage help-seeking. We are changing the culture on campuses and in the community by providing information, leadership opportunities and advocacy training to the next generation. We host events for mental health awareness month, de-stressing for finals, and many more activities that create a safe space for students to learn about the importance of mental health. My experience with mental health has influenced my relationships in many ways. Growing up with a family who did not acknowledge mental health, I have adopted behaviors that have negatively impacted me as a person. There were so many things I had to unlearn. I've developed anxiety that I still struggle with today. It impacted how I communicate with others and my level of empathy. You never know what someone can be battling internally that they never speak on, which is why I always try to be a listening ear and shoulder to cry on. I also understand that it is important not to judge a book by its cover. My experience with mental health has also helped to strengthen my faith in my religion. I have gone through many obstacles that I have overcome. Battling with depression and suicidal thoughts during school was one of the most challenging things I have had to face. My grades suffered tremendously and I felt as though I was a failure. What kept me going was my faith and trust with God. I had to change my outlook on things and I started praying more. This is when I started to see my life change for the better. My grades have improved and I have been placed on the Dean’s and Chancellor’s list due to my academic achievements.

Understanding and using different financial abilities, such as investing, budgeting, and personal financial management, effectively are referred to as having financial literacy. Your relationship with money is built on financial literacy, which is something you learn throughout your entire life. Since education is the secret to success when it comes to money, the earlier you start, the better off you will be. A person who is financially literate is better able to live a balanced, ethical, and responsible lifestyle and make wise financial decisions throughout the course of their lifetime. Financial literacy has a significant impact on a person's borrowing, investing, debt management, and saving behaviors. I suggest speaking with a financial expert to practice financial literacy. Your financial queries can be addressed by a financial expert, whether they relate to straightforward short-term financial issues or more intricate long-term ones. They may also evaluate your existing predicament, assist you in creating a plan for all of your financial requirements, and support you in staying on course moving forward. Students who are financially literate keep track of their earnings, regular expenses, and everyday costs to prevent unnecessary spending. Students who understand finances are knowledgeable. They are aware of any costs connected with their bank or credit union accounts and are aware of the monthly cost of these fees. At least once a year, they examine their credit report for inaccuracies and look for any indications of identity theft. Additionally, they are aware of the interest rates on all of their debt and are aware of potential reasons why those rates might change. Students who are financially literate can make a strategy to reduce their most expensive student loan debt by being informed, potentially saving thousands of dollars over the course of their loans. Financially literate students consider the future. Despite the fact that they might not have all the solutions, they are rather certain of their financial goals for the future. Even a few years into their job, they have already begun to consider their future career and financial circumstances. When making decisions regarding education, professions, and debt loads, students should be asking themselves these important questions. Because of my dedication to practicing financial literacy and educating others I have joined an organization on campus called Enactus. Enactus is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring students to improve the world through entrepreneurial action. We host events to teach staff and students about financial literacy, building credit, managing student loans, budgeting, financial empowerment, and much more.

The climate on Earth is rapidly changing. The average temperature in the United States has risen over time, and extreme weather events are happening more frequently and with greater intensity. Our daily lives are also impacted by global warming, and so is nature. Even if we might not be aware of it or would rather choose to ignore it, there are effects of climate change that we are now experiencing. Heatwaves brought on by the rise in greenhouse gases are making certain outdoor jobs nearly intolerable while also generating increasingly terrifying droughts and fires. Unaware of it, we are all experiencing hardship in our daily lives due to climate change, effects that make life more challenging and even limit our capacity to engage in activities with the same freedom we did a few years ago. Overuse of plastic is a major issue that impacts our climate. It not only plagues our oceans, but it also affects animals as they are dying from ingesting or being caught in plastic waste. I aim to reduce plastic waste by using reusable bags in order to preserve sustainability for our ecosystem. When I shop, I try to stay away from items that promote the usage of plastic. I buy reusable straws, bags, and water bottles. As a result of climate change making it more difficult to maintain the exact conditions crops need to thrive, food prices are increasing. As the climate heats, the air becomes more humid and rainstorms get stronger, harming crops. Additionally, global precipitation patterns are changing, causing both droughts and floods in different parts of the planet. Every item we buy has an environmental impact, whether it is due to the resources used to make it, the pollution produced while making it, or the packaging that ends up in landfills. I consider my needs carefully before making purchases. If I do, I attempt to purchase gently used items rather than brand-new ones and look for minimal shipping and packaging. Because of my passion for climate conservation, I have joined an organization on my campus called "The Green Team". Our mission is to promote sustainablility in our local community. We educate students, staff, faculty, and the community about conserving energy and water, recycling, reducing their green house gas (GHG) emissions, eating healthy & local, the advantages of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind-generated energy and more. Some projects we partake in is campus clean ups where we pick up waste around our school. We also create a presentation for world water day. On this day we raise awareness that 2 billion people around the globe are living without access to safe water. We also raise awareness that bottled water contains approximately 60% of tap water. We have students test out different brands of water bottles and also tap water. Majority of the population can not tell the difference, and we promote that they they switch to tap water to cut down on plastic. I also try to get involved politically in my community by voting for candidates who are passionate about preserving our environment.

Generational wealth can be defined as any asset that a family passes down to its children or grandchildren, whether it takes the form of money, investment funds, stocks and bonds, real estate, businesses, or even entire corporations. Generational wealth can make it more likely that one's future offspring or relatives will receive financial assistance. It is a privilege to have disposable income or hereditary money to build on. Generational wealth is significant because, when you don't have the financial burden of bills or if you can afford to quit a job that doesn't fulfill you, you have more flexibility to think and live the life you want. It can be challenging to live paycheck to paycheck, particularly in light of the current state of the economy and the pandemic's residual consequences. The road to wealth-building can be traveled in a variety of ways, and no two people's paths will be identical. This journey can start with simple steps like teaching your family about financial planning, or it can involve more significant actions like purchasing real estate that is likely to appreciate in value. The majority of parents who came from poverty do not want their kids to go through the same challenges they had as kids. Finding the ideal balance, though, can be difficult. More than only financial assets are needed to create wealth that lasts for multiple generations. If you want to create long-lasting wealth, raising financially competent adults is crucial. I want to teach my kids about financial literacy so they can find a way to sustain themselves. One of the most crucial things you can do to begin creating generational wealth for your family is to educate your children about money. Having open discussions about money at home will help your children feel comfortable asking questions. I intend to talk to my kids regularly about money, including issues like determining what constitutes a need vs a desire and the significance of giving back and conserving. To also ensure I achieve generational wealth in the future I plan to invest in real estate. A great way to increase money is through real estate. Most real estate increases in value over time. Real estate can also offer investors options for cash flow. Another strategy to create generational wealth is to start a business that you can leave to your offspring. I also plan to start a business and have my children working in it at a young age. This will encourage them to take over the family business when they come of age. Even if they do not wish to take over the business they have the option to sell it and make a profit from it.

The reason I want to pursue a career in STEM is because of my interests in the sciences. I currently attend Fayetteville State University and I am majoring in Psychology. I've always had an interest in Psychology ever since I was in high school. It has always been my favorite subject so I am grateful that I am able to pursue a career in the field. Psychology is frequently left off the list of fundamental fields, or STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and math), that have made significant contributions to advancements in science and technology. Because of its scientific foundation and its contributions to technology to the field of knowledge, the National Science Foundation classifies psychology as a science. Innovation in science and technology depends on psychological knowledge. Human operators are necessary for the application of technology, and putting technical advancements into practice requires an awareness of human capabilities and limitations. This behavioral science is not what most people think of when they think of psychology. When the discipline entails so much more, people frequently mistake it for a counseling session. The study of deviant behavior and behavioral genetics are only two examples of the various subfields that make up psychology. It is incredibly underrated to not assume that psychology is a branch of science. Studying psychology helps me to understand myself and people around me. You'll develop a deeper grasp of the numerous aspects that influence human behavior through a psychology bachelor's degree. This will help me to assist others more skillfully, and it will also boost my ability to feel sympathy for others. Also, representation is very important and African American women are underrepresented in STEM fields. I want to help encourage women who look like me to pursue STEM fields and to further enhance our community. How I will use this degree to help uplift my community is by educating my community on the importance of psychology. I want to be able to encourage others to seek counseling when needed as there is a negative view on people learning more about mental health. Most people view this as a weakness and I want to help change that narrative. After obtaining my Bachelor's degree, I will continue my studies in graduate school to achieve my Masters. My plan is to become a counselor or therapist to help others in need. I want to help others understand themselves better so that they can live a better life.

My name is Tai Pruitt and I am a Psychology major at Fayetteville State University. I currently work for Technical Support for Apple and I have been working here since 2020 when the pandemic first started. What interests me about working for Apple Support is the fact that not only am I impacting the lives of others and teaching them, but I am also learning something new every single day I come to work. I feel as though representation matters, especially being an African American woman. There are several other women working here who are also in leadership positions who have helped guide me during my time here. They always encourage me to apply for higher positions and not limit myself. I've since been promoted to being a mentor and I help to train new employees who are hired for Apple Support. A piece of technology that inspires me is definitely the iPhones. The reason this technology inspires me is because of the fact that it is constantly changing and advancing. Being that I was hired during the peak of COVID my job was critical for helping people connect with others around the world. Whether it be facetime, messages, etc. we assisted people from all over the world to stay in contact with their loved ones. We also assisted customers virtually since the physical Apple stores were closed during the pandemic. We were a listening ear for customers to voice their frustrations and empathize with their troubles. We make the world a better place by helping to educate people on the latest technology and how it can benefit their everyday lives.

When I think of the word perseverance I think of prevailing despite all obstacles in challenges. We all have a story and come from different walks of life, but it is up to us to decide whether or not we will use this as a crutch or as motivation for success. My career goal is to become a counselor, therapist, or social worker. My own personal experiences with growing up in poverty and facing oppression is what motivated me to choose this career path. I would shadow my aunt who is a Social Worker and I really admired how dedicated she was to improving the lives of others. During these challenging times of COVID-19 us college students had to persevere through various challenges. One of the many issues I had to face was depression. COVID occurred during a time where I was starting to feel comfortable stepping out of my comfort zone. I've always been shy and introverted and felt like I never fit in anywhere. I started gaining the confidence to join different clubs and meet new people. Once the pandemic happened we were all forced to leave campus immediately and quarantine. I felt very alone and useless during that time. All classes were online so that feeling of closeness you get in a classroom setting is gone. I also had family members who battled with COVID, so seeing how that impacted their physical and mental health took a toll on me knowing that there wasn't anything I could do. Your grades also start to slip because of the sudden switch to all classes being online. There are just some courses that you benefit more from having in person, so this definitely contributed to the obstacles I had to face. I also had to deal with financial struggles during my academic career. I came from a single parent household and we were a low income family. Learning to face hardships impacted my relationships both positively and negatively. The pros to having to face hardships are it prepared me for whatever life throws my way. I value hard work ethic and perseverence. The cons to having to experience hardships is it made me hyper-independent. I rarely ask for help even when I do need it. I am still trying to work on this and allow others to help me when needed. Despite not having the necessary resources and funding I still always prioritized my studies. Due to my determination to pursue higher education I was granted opportunities and networked with people who were willing to contribute to my education and extracurricular endeavors. I did not use my struggles as an excuse, instead I used them as a stepping stone towards achieving my goals. I make sure to remember why I started my journey to being educated and where I come from. During my time in school I have joined numerous clubs and took on leadership roles. I also volunteer to give back to the community and future generations to come to show them that you can be better than where you come from. Nothing worth having will come easy, and this is what motivates me to persevere through hardships and continue achieving my goals.

When I think of the word perseverance I think of prevailing despite all obstacles in challenges. We all have a story and come from different walks of life, but it is up to us to decide whether or not we will use this as a crutch or as motivation for success. During these challenging times of COVID-19 us college students had to persevere through various challenges. One of the many issues I had to face was depression. COVID occurred during a time where I was starting to feel comfortable stepping out of my comfort zone. I've always been shy and introverted and felt like I never fit in anywhere. I started gaining the confidence to join different clubs and meet new people. Once the pandemic happened we were all forced to leave campus immediately and quarantine. I felt very alone and useless during that time. All classes were online so that feeling of closeness you get in a classroom setting is gone. I also had family members who battled with COVID, so seeing how that impacted their physical and mental health took a toll on me knowing that there wasn't anything I could do. Your grades also start to slip because of the sudden switch to all classes being online. There are just some courses that you benefit more from having in person, so this definitely contributed to the obstacles I had to face. I also had to deal with financial struggles during my academic career. I came from a single parent household and we were a low income family. Learning to face hardships impacted my relationships both positively and negatively. The pros to having to face hardships are it prepared me for whatever life throws my way. I value hard work ethic and perseverence. The cons to having to experience hardships is it made me hyper-independent. I rarely ask for help even when I do need it. I am still trying to work on this and allow others to help me when needed. Despite not having the necessary resources and funding I still always prioritized my studies. Due to my determination to pursue higher education I was granted opportunities and networked with people who were willing to contribute to my education and extracurricular endeavors. I did not use my struggles as an excuse, instead I used them as a stepping stone towards achieving my goals. I make sure to remember why I started my journey to being educated and where I come from. During my time in school I have joined numerous clubs and took on leadership roles. I also volunteer to give back to the community and future generations to come to show them that you can be better than where you come from. Nothing worth having will come easy, and this is what motivates me to persevere through hardships and continue achieving my goals.

My career choice is to become a counselor, therapist, or social worker. I am currently attending Fayetteville State University majoring in Psychology with a minor in Social Work. The reason I want to be a social worker is due to my own personal experiences. The desire to use my own life experiences to better the lives of others is a common motivation for social workers to pursue careers in the profession. These difficulties could include mental health problems, violence, poverty, and discrimination. A social worker is required to have a lot of empathy, emotional fortitude, and innovative problem-solving abilities. As a result, social workers frequently have personal challenges at work. They must continuously learn, develop, and grow. Social workers are in a unique position to improve people's lives, communities, and the world at large. It's a sought-after job that's also hard and fulfilling. The main goal of the social work profession is to improve people's well-being and assist in providing for their fundamental and complicated needs, with a concentration on those who are weak, oppressed, and living in poverty. The focus on the individual and their environment sets social work apart from other occupations. Social workers deal with the outside forces that affect an individual's circumstances and viewpoint. Additionally, we foster chances for assessment and intervention in order to assist clients and communities in efficiently coping with their reality and, if necessary, changing it. To assist clients and communities deal with their reality and alter it when necessary, we establish chances for assessment and intervention. Social workers support their patients by assisting them in addressing both their feelings and what they can do to change a situation. The reason I am so passionate about becoming a social worker is because of the environment I grew up in. I came from an oppressed and underfunded area and growing up was a struggle. I lacked many necessary resources and I wish I had the support I needed to make life easier. I want to help give back to the community and make a positive impact on the lives of other people. My journey to pursuing my career has been far from easy. I've had to make many sacrifices and overcome many obstacles. There were times where I had to pull all nighters to make sure I study hard enough to get an A on my assignments. I've also had to deal with lack of funding for my education so I had to work multiple jobs which put a mental, emotional, and physical strain on my body. I do not regret these sacrifices one bit because I am truly passionate about becoming a social worker.

I define recovery as a transformational process that helps people live more self-directed lives, achieve their greatest potential, and improve their health and wellness. Coming from a family with a history of alcohol and drug abuse I have learned these behaviors and coping mechanisms which took a negative impact in my life. Having family members who deal with alcohol and drug abuse impacted my relationships in many ways. I feel as though some of my relatives would turn to the coping mechanisms because they did not understand how to properly deal with their emotions. Expressing your issues was seen as a sign of weakness and you were always taught to suck it up and keep pushing. They would turn to the only things they knew could help soothe them. Because of this, many traumas that they faced went unhealed and unacknowledged. This led to a lot of arguments and sometimes even physical altercations. Growing up around this environment contributed to my interactions, relationships, and anxiety. Being young and in college you feel as if you often don't have any direction or support. There's this feeling like you don't want to burden others around you with your problems, so you turn to a coping mechanism that may not always be healthy. I drank often to help deal with my emotions which I am not proud of. An eye opener for me was one night I blacked out and ended up at an unknown location. I had a friend who made sure I was safe and I am thankful for them till this very day. I have stopped drinking alcohol since then and my life has changed for the better. Physically and mentally my health has improved so much. I found that I was surrounding myself with people who encouraged my unhealthy habits so limiting myself from these people helped to improve my life. Alcohol and drug abuse has also contributed to my career aspirations. I am currently majoring in Psychology with a minor in Social Work. My goal is to possibly be a therapist, counselor, or social worker. I want to help people in need and be a support system, which is what I wish I had growing up. I know what it is like to struggle and feel as though you have no one to turn to. I want to be to provide resources to help others recover from addiction and have a chance at a better future.

Ever since I was in high school I have always had the passion for making a positive impact on the lives of other people. During my time in high school I was apart of a program called “Delta Gems” we participated in various community service events such as volunteering at food banks, feeding the homeless, and donating care baskets to nursing homes. What inspires me to get involved in my community is how grateful the people are. I live by the Bible verse “it is better to give than it is to receive”. Growing up in the church we would dedicate some of our time to helping our local community. This past weekend we had a food drive where we handed out free groceries and hot meals to people in the surrounding area in collaboration with the Salvation Army. I am continuously doing the work of making a positive influence of change in my community by encouraging my peers to get also get involved. I have joined several organizations and mentoring programs that values community service. I am currently a member of The National Council of Negro Women and the mission is to lead, develop, and to be an advocate for women of African descent as they support their families and communities. Some volunteering projects we have participated in is a hygiene drive where we donated to a women’s shelter “Teague’s Home for Women”. During Thanksgiving we also did a canned food drive for people in need. Currently I volunteer with Manna Church Dream Center where we pass out lunches to a homeless shelter, we also provide bus passes, job opportunities, tents, and any other necessities. I also volunteer at Fayetteville Operation InAsMuch where we pass out hygiene kits and hot meals to the homeless community. Because of my passion to make a difference in the world, I also took on leadership roles on campus for organizations whose mission is to give back to those in need. I am currently the president for Fayetteville State University’s Enactus Team. Enactus is an internationally organization dedicated to inspiring students to improve the world through entrepreneurial action. One of the projects I currently lead is the “Dress for Success” closet. We help to provide opportunities for students to acquire free professional attire for interviews, work, or presentations. We also have the “Sewing for Success” project dedicated to providing career and entrepreneurial skills to local victims of domestic abuse and/or those who are homeless. My plan after graduate studies in social work is to continue doing volunteer work and encourage others to get involved too. I plan to have my children also be volunteers and give back to people in need. I plan to be a counselor, therapist, or social worker to help give back to people who are in need.

Success does not happen right away. You have to be willing to put in the effort and devote for the rest of your life to achieve it. You also have to have the right people in your corner to help you on this path to success. My coaches, mentors, and mother come to mind when I consider the people who assisted in paving the way for my achievement. It is because of them that I am motivated to work harder, smarter, and more effectively than I did the day before. Great ideas are transformed into great accomplishments because of motivation. Our motivation is what pushes us to complete tasks! When someone plans or desires to accomplish anything, they have a motive for that particular action. ​A person who helped guide me to the path of success is my mom. She has affected my life greatly and has helped me become the person I am today. She always says the right things to get me where I need to be and get done what I need done. My mom always instilled confidence in me and let me know that despite where I come from I still have just as much talent and intelligence as the next person. She always encouraged my sister and I to work ten times as hard as everyone else. I was taught to have discipline and respect at a very young age, and I carried these lessons into adulthood. My mother was very strict when it came to academics and she made sure that she found a way to keep us involved in school and in our community. She is the reason I have such determination and will power now as an adult. My mom was not always perfect, but she did the best she could with the little that she had. She always supported my interests and dreams. Anytime I would doubt myself, she was always there for me to encourage me to persevere through any fears of self-doubt. Despite not always having the same resources as those around me, she will always remind me to not make excuses for myself and she still held me to a very high standard. Because of this I actually value hard work and ethic. She encouraged me to continue my education in college while I was a senior in high school. To tell the truth I had so much anxiety about my ability to actually graduate. She helped me fill out applications and I was finally accepted into my dream school. Being in school is not easy, especially being so young I was not used to being away from her and went through depression. I was not doing so well in my courses and was dealing with anxiety and thoughts of suicide. During these troubling times she would always remind me of how strong I am and she made sure I knew she would always be there for me. My mom always had my best interests in mind while I was attending school and she continuously supported me financially even when she had the means to do so. She has served as my mentor, teacher, and counselor. She is the reason I now have the outgoing, and positive outlook on life that I have now. She encourages me to be determined to get the most out of my education. Because of her I am hopeful to achieve my future goals. She has positively motivated me in many different ways, and I am glad to have her as my mother.

When I think of the word perseverance I think of prevailing despite all obstacles in challenges. We all have a story and come from different walks of life, but it is up to us to decide whether or not we will use this as a crutch or as motivation for success. During these challenging times of COVID-19 us college students had to persevere through various challenges. One of the many issues I had to face was depression. COVID occurred during a time where I was starting to feel comfortable stepping out of my comfort zone. I've always been shy and introverted and felt like I never fit in anywhere. I started gaining the confidence to join different clubs and meet new people. Once the pandemic happened we were all forced to leave campus immediately and quarantine. I felt very alone and useless during that time. All classes were online so that feeling of closeness you get in a classroom setting is gone. I also had family members who battled with COVID, so seeing how that impacted their physical and mental health took a toll on me knowing that there wasn't anything I could do. Your grades also start to slip because of the sudden switch to all classes being online. There are just some courses that you benefit more from having in person, so this definitely contributed to the obstacles I had to face. I also had to deal with financial struggles during my academic career. I came from a single parent household and we were a low income family. Learning to face hardships impacted my relationships both positively and negatively. The pros to having to face hardships are it prepared me for whatever life throws my way. I value hard work ethic and perseverence. The cons to having to experience hardships is it made me hyper-independent. I rarely ask for help even when I do need it. I am still trying to work on this and allow others to help me when needed. Despite not having the necessary resources and funding I still always prioritized my studies. Due to my determination to pursue higher education I was granted opportunities and networked with people who were willing to contribute to my education and extracurricular endeavors. I did not use my struggles as an excuse, instead I used them as a stepping stone towards achieving my goals. I make sure to remember why I started my journey to being educated and where I come from. During my time in school I have joined numerous clubs and took on leadership roles. I also volunteer to give back to the community and future generations to come to show them that you can be better than where you come from. Nothing worth having will come easy, and this is what motivates me to persevere through hardships and continue achieving my goals.

When I think of the word perseverance I think of prevailing despite all obstacles in challenges. We all have a story and come from different walks of life, but it is up to us to decide whether or not we will use this as a crutch or as motivation for success. I also had to deal with financial struggles during my academic career. I came from a single parent household and we were a low income family. Despite not having the necessary resources and funding I still always prioritized my studies. My mom did the best that she could with the very little that she had. She worked multiple jobs to support both me and my sister without the help from either one of our fathers. This did create some conflicts and obstacles, but it was nothing that we could not handle. I admire how my mom always found a way out of no way. I'm not sure how she was able to make some things happen for us, but she made it happen. She always reminded us that no one in this world was in better than us, even if they had advantages such as coming from a financially stable background. My mom never gave up even at her lowest points and dealing with depression as well as other mental struggles. She really encouraged and pushed me to be the best that I can be. Everytime I feel like giving up I think back to how much my mom had to sacrifice for me to get to where I am today. There were times my mom did not eat just to make sure she had enough for my sister and I. She didn't get to take part in any leisure activities because she had to make sure we had a roof over our head and clothes to wear. This really pushed me to want a better future for myself, for my future children, and to help support her when she becomes old. Due to my determination to pursue higher education I was granted opportunities and networked with people who were willing to contribute to my education and extracurricular endeavors. I did not use my struggles as an excuse, instead I used them as a stepping stone towards achieving my goals. I am currently a senior and will be getting my bachelor's degree in Psychology this upcoming spring semester. I am currently applying to graduate schools to further my studies and I plan to use my knowledge to help better my community and future generations to come. Currently I volunteer with Manna Church Dream Center where we pass out lunches to a homeless shelter, we also provide bus passes, job opportunities, tents, and any other necessities. I also volunteer at Fayetteville Operation InAsMuch where we pass out hygiene kits and hot meals to the homeless community. Because of my passion to make a difference in the world, I also took on leadership roles on campus for organizations whose mission is to give back to those in need. I am currently the president for Fayetteville State University’s Enactus Team. Enactus is an internationally organization dedicated to inspiring students to improve the world through entrepreneurial action. One of the projects I currently lead is the “Dress for Success” closet. We help to provide opportunities for students to acquire free professional attire for interviews, work, or presentations. We also have the “Sewing for Success” project dedicated to providing career and entrepreneurial skills to local victims of domestic abuse and/or those who are homeless.

When I think of the word perseverance I think of prevailing despite all obstacles in challenges. We all have a story and come from different walks of life, but it is up to us to decide whether or not we will use this as a crutch or as motivation for success. I also had to deal with financial struggles during my academic career. I came from a single parent household and we were a low income family. Despite not having the necessary resources and funding I still always prioritized my studies. My mom did the best that she could with the very little that she had. She worked multiple jobs to support both me and my sister without the help from either one of our fathers. This did create some conflicts and obstacles, but it was nothing that we could not handle. I admire how my mom always found a way out of no way. I'm not sure how she was able to make some things happen for us, but she made it happen. She always reminded us that no one in this world was in better than us, even if they had advantages such as coming from a financially stable background. My mom never gave up even at her lowest points and dealing with depression as well as other mental struggles. She really encouraged and pushed me to be the best that I can be. Everytime I feel like giving up I think back to how much my mom had to sacrifice for me to get to where I am today. There were times my mom did not eat just to make sure she had enough for my sister and I. She didn't get to take part in any leisure activities because she had to make sure we had a roof over our head and clothes to wear. This really pushed me to want a better future for myself, for my future children, and to help support her when she becomes old. Due to my determination to pursue higher education I was granted opportunities and networked with people who were willing to contribute to my education and extracurricular endeavors. I did not use my struggles as an excuse, instead I used them as a stepping stone towards achieving my goals. I am currently a senior and will be getting my bachelor's degree in Psychology this upcoming spring semester. I am currently applying to graduate schools to further my studies and I plan to use my knowledge to help better my community and future generations to come.

I define recovery as a transformational process that helps people live more self-directed lives, achieve their greatest potential, and improve their health and wellness. Coming from a family with a history of alcohol abuse I have learned these behaviors and coping mechanisms which took a negative impact in my life. Being young and in college you feel as if you often don't have any direction or support. There's this feeling like you don't want to burden others around you with your problems, so you turn to a coping mechanism that may not always be healthy. I drank often to help deal with my emotions which I am not proud of. An eye opener for me was one night I blacked out and ended up at an unknown location. I had a friend who made sure I was safe and I am thankful for them till this very day. I have stopped drinking alcohol since then and my life has changed for the better. Physically and mentally my health has improved so much. I found that I was surrounding myself with people who encouraged my unhealthy habits so limiting myself from these people helped to improve my life.

The song that has the most important message to me is India Arie-Video. I have always loved this song ever since I was a little girl. The main message of the song is that no matter if the singer doesn't fit society's beauty standards she knows her worth. Growing up in today's generation there is this constant pressure for women to be perfect. There's this feeling that we always have to have our make up, hair, nails, etc. done to be treated with any type of dignity and respect. I love that this song motivates women to admire their natural beauty and know that it is okay to be different and not fit in. As a darkskin African American woman we are not represented as the beauty standard in society. The artist is a darkskin African American woman so it was amazing having that representation at such a young age.

Being apart of athletics through out my life has had many positive effects in my life. I get to do things I am passionate about and spread knowledge to others from what I learn during practices/training. I am a dancer and we have to train extremely hard to make sure we are putting on our best performances at all times. Some of the workouts we do to stay in shape includes running football stadium bleachers, ab exercises, we run the track, and also do other exercises to make sure we are maintaining strength and endurance. Practices can get pretty intense and last for long hours. It definitely helps with teaching you to practice discipline. Being involved in athletics has also kept me out of trouble. I come from a small town where violence and crime is high, so it's very easy to get caught up in the wrong crowd. Being apart of athletics has also motivated me to continue working out and maintaining good health. I try to have a clean diet and do a workout before or after my work shift. I also stretch and do yoga everyday. Doing this has definitely had a positive impact on not only my physical health, but also my mental well being. Participating in athletics also helps me to network. I meet people with the same interests as me and we push each other past our limits to help better ourselves. Through these connections you open doors to many opportunities so that you can continue progessing in your specific interest. I love that I am always learning something new because it is impossible to know absolutely everything when it comes to sports. Any team that I have joined I have built life-long bonds and I know that if there's anything I need I can reach out to a team member or current/past coaches. The hugest impact that being in sports have made on my life overall is that it reminds me to never give up, no matter how hard things may get. There are often times that I think about giving up and quitting because of obstacles I may face, but I remember that I am in fact built for this. I have gone through so many hardships while being in sports, but there is always someone who is in my exact same shoes or maybe In a worse situation than I am. I want to continue to encourage future generations and possibly become a coach some day.

Ever since I was in high school I have always had the passion for making a positive impact on the lives of other people. During my time in high school I was apart of a program called “Delta Gems” we participated in various community service events such as volunteering at food banks, feeding the homeless, and donating care baskets to nursing homes. What inspires me to get involved in my community is how grateful the people are. I live by the Bible verse “it is better to give than it is to receive”. Growing up in the church we would dedicate some of our time to helping our local community. This past weekend we had a food drive where we handed out free groceries and hot meals to people in the surrounding area in collaboration with the Salvation Army. I am continuously doing the work of making a positive influence of change in my community by encouraging my peers to get also get involved. I have joined several organizations and mentoring programs that values community service. I am currently a member of The National Council of Negro Women and the mission is to lead, develop, and to be an advocate for women of African descent as they support their families and communities. Some volunteering projects we have participated in is a hygiene drive where we donated to a women’s shelter “Teague’s Home for Women”. During Thanksgiving we also did a canned food drive for people in need. Currently I volunteer with Manna Church Dream Center where we pass out lunches to a homeless shelter, we also provide bus passes, job opportunities, tents, and any other necessities. I also volunteer at Fayetteville Operation InAsMuch where we pass out hygiene kits and hot meals to the homeless community. Because of my passion to make a difference in the world, I also took on leadership roles on campus for organizations whose mission is to give back to those in need. I am currently the president for Fayetteville State University’s Enactus Team. Enactus is an internationally organization dedicated to inspiring students to improve the world through entrepreneurial action. One of the projects I currently lead is the “Dress for Success” closet. We help to provide opportunities for students to acquire free professional attire for interviews, work, or presentations. We also have the “Sewing for Success” project dedicated to providing career and entrepreneurial skills to local victims of domestic abuse and/or those who are homeless. My plan after graduate studies in social work is to continue doing volunteer work and encourage others to get involved too. I plan to have my children also be volunteers and give back to people in need. I plan to be a counselor, therapist, or social worker to help give back to people who are in need.

My name is Tai Pruitt and I'm from Fayetteville, NC. I currently attend Fayetteville State University and I'm a Senior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Social Work. What motivates me is the fact that I can make a difference in the lives of other people by my chosen career path. I love studying problems in our community and finding ways to help alleviate these issues. If I could do anything with my life I would become a counselor, therapist, or social worker. I imagine myself working with people in need to help make a difference on the lives of others. I currently do alot of community service in my location. What inspires me to get involved in my community is how grateful the people are. I live by the Bible verse “it is better to give than it is to receive”. Growing up in the church we would dedicate some of our time to helping our local community. This past weekend we had a food drive where we handed out free groceries and hot meals to people in the surrounding area in collaboration with the Salvation Army. Ever since I was in high school I have always had the passion for making a positive impact on the lives of other people. During my time in high school I was apart of a program called “Delta Gems” we participated in various community service events such as volunteering at food banks, feeding the homeless, and donating care baskets to nursing homes. What excites me about STEM is the research we do in our field. How I can make a positive in the world is by using this research to help further Psychology. People who pursue STEM education get abilities that increase their employability and readiness to fill current job openings. It includes the full spectrum of abilities and experiences. Each STEM element contributes significantly to a well-rounded education. Learners gain a thorough awareness of the world around them through science. You can better understand yourself and other people by studying psychology. Students also learn about the intricate connections between human behavior and the environment in which they live, as well as about the influence of culture, human motivation, the impact of personalities on daily conduct, and much more. When I think of the word perseverance I think of prevailing despite all obstacles in challenges. We all have a story and come from different walks of life, but it is up to us to decide whether or not we will use this as a crutch or as motivation for success. When I think of someone who helped me to overcome obstacles in my life I think of myself because I had to push myself to continue to pursue my goals. During these challenging times of COVID-19 us college students had to persevere through various challenges. One of the many issues I had to face was depression. COVID occurred during a time where I was starting to feel comfortable stepping out of my comfort zone. I've always been shy and introverted and felt like I never fit in anywhere. I started gaining the confidence to join different clubs and meet new people. Once the pandemic happened we were all forced to leave campus immediately and quarantine. I felt very alone and useless during that time. All classes were online so that feeling of closeness you get in a classroom setting is gone. I also had family members who battled with COVID, so seeing how that impacted their physical and mental health took a toll on me knowing that there wasn't anything I could do. Your grades also start to slip because of the sudden switch to all classes being online. There are just some courses that you benefit more from having in person, so this definitely contributed to the obstacles I had to face. I also had to deal with financial struggles during my academic career. I came from a single parent household and we were a low income family. Despite not having the necessary resources and funding I still always prioritized my studies. Due to my determination to pursue higher education I was granted opportunities and networked with people who were willing to contribute to my education and extracurricular endeavors. I did not use my struggles as an excuse, instead I used them as a stepping stone towards achieving my goals. I make sure to remember why I started my journey to being educated and where I come from. During my time in school I have joined numerous clubs and took on leadership roles. I also volunteer to give back to the community and future generations to come to show them that you can be better than where you come from. Nothing worth having will come easy, and this is what motivates me to persevere through hardships and continue achieving my goals.

My name is Tai Pruitt and I am 23 years old. I am from Fayetteville, North Carolina and attend Fayetteville State University. I'm a senior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Social Work I had to face many different obstacles through out my academic career. I had to deal with financial struggles while pursuing education. I came from a single parent household and we were a low income family. My mother raised both my sister and I by herself without help from either of our fathers. My mom had to pay out of pocket for our expenses such as prom, graduation, and many other expenses. Even though we did not have the ideal lifestyle my mom wanted to make sure that we were still taken care of and lead us to a path for a better life than what we had growing up. We did not always have the latest phones and clothes that our peers had. We lived in an area where violence and crime was high and we could've easily ended up as another statistic. Despite not having the necessary resources and funding I still always prioritized my studies. I am currently a senior at Fayetteville State University majoring in Psychology with a minor in Social Work. Due to my determination to pursue higher education I was granted opportunities and networked with people who were willing to contribute to my education and extracurricular endeavors. I am currently the president of Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology and have a 3.4 GPA. During my time in school I have joined numerous clubs and took on leadership roles. I also volunteer to give back to the community and future generations to come to show them that you can be better than where you come from. Nothing worth having will come easy, and this is what motivates me to persevere through hardships and continue achieving my goals. I want to also create a program for the high school I graduated from. My goal is to create an opportunity for students in need to receive professional clothing for free. During my time in high school it was a challenge finding professional clothes for interviews, presentations, and ceremonies. I did not use my struggles as an excuse, instead I used them as a stepping stone towards achieving my goals. I make sure to remember why I started my journey to being educated and where I come from.

My experience with mental health has influenced my life in many ways. Growing up in a Christian household my family did not really acknowledge the importance of mental health. I had family members who were veterans suffering from PSTD, and because showing any signs of needing help is deemed as "weak" many issues would go untreated. We were taught that mental health issues were just "demons" when actuality our loved ones needed therapy, medication, and assistance. Because of what I have witnessed in my childhood, it inspired me to pursue my degree in psychology. I want to help change someone's life and encourage positive conversations surrounding mental health awareness. People underestimate the importance of acknowledging mental health and it shows in our everyday lives. Countless public shootings, suicides, homicides, etc. can be a result of not getting someone the proper help they need. There are so many people in our society who need therapy and psychological help, and if this goes unrecognized the results can be detrimental to our community. My goal is to have my own practice or become a social worker/counselor. I want to be able to teach future generations and make them aware of the importance of acknowledging mental health. Because of my passion for changing the conversation surrounding mental health, I have joined the organization "Active Minds" whose mission is to empower students to speak openly about mental health in order to educate others and encourage help-seeking. We are changing the culture on campuses and in the community by providing information, leadership opportunities and advocacy training to the next generation. We host events for mental health awareness month, de-stressing for finals, and many more activities that create a safe space for students to learn about the importance of mental health. My experience with mental health has influenced my relationships in many ways. Growing up with a family who did not acknowledge mental health, I have adopted behaviors that have negatively impacted me as a person. There were so many things I had to unlearn. I've developed anxiety that I still struggle with today. It impacted how I communicate with others and my level of empathy. You never know what someone can be battling internally that they never speak on, which is why I always try to be a listening ear and shoulder to cry on. I also understand that it is important not to judge a book by its cover. My experience with mental health has also helped to strengthen my faith in my religion. I have gone through many obstacles that I have overcome. Battling with depression and suicidal thoughts during school was one of the most challenging things I have had to face. My grades suffered tremendously and I felt as though I was a failure. What kept me going was my faith and trust with God. I had to change my outlook on things and I started praying more. This is when I started to see my life change for the better. My grades have improved and I have been placed on the Dean’s and Chancellor’s list due to my academic achievements.

My experience with mental health has influenced my life in many ways. Growing up in a Christian household my family did not really acknowledge the importance of mental health. I had family members who were veterans suffering from PSTD, and because showing any signs of needing help is deemed as "weak" many issues would go untreated. We were taught that mental health issues were just "demons" when actuality our loved ones needed therapy, medication, and assistance. Because of what I have witnessed in my childhood, it inspired me to pursue my degree in psychology. I want to help change someone's life and encourage positive conversations surrounding mental health awareness. People underestimate the importance of acknowledging mental health and it shows in our everyday lives. Countless public shootings, suicides, homicides, etc. can be a result of not getting someone the proper help they need. There are so many people in our society who need therapy and psychological help, and if this goes unrecognized the results can be detrimental to our community. My goal is to have my own practice or become a social worker/counselor. I want to be able to teach future generations and make them aware of the importance of acknowledging mental health. Because of my passion for changing the conversation surrounding mental health, I have joined the organization "Active Minds" whose mission is to empower students to speak openly about mental health in order to educate others and encourage help-seeking. We are changing the culture on campuses and in the community by providing information, leadership opportunities and advocacy training to the next generation. We host events for mental health awareness month, de-stressing for finals, and many more activities that create a safe space for students to learn about the importance of mental health. My experience with mental health has influenced my relationships in many ways. Growing up with a family who did not acknowledge mental health, I have adopted behaviors that have negatively impacted me as a person. There were so many things I had to unlearn. I've developed anxiety that I still struggle with today. It impacted how I communicate with others and my level of empathy. You never know what someone can be battling internally that they never speak on, which is why I always try to be a listening ear and shoulder to cry on. I also understand that it is important not to judge a book by its cover. My experience with mental health has also helped to strengthen my faith in my religion. I have gone through many obstacles that I have overcome. Battling with depression and suicidal thoughts during school was one of the most challenging things I have had to face. My grades suffered tremendously and I felt as though I was a failure. What kept me going was my faith and trust with God. I had to change my outlook on things and I started praying more. This is when I started to see my life change for the better. My grades have improved and I have been placed on the Dean’s and Chancellor’s list due to my academic achievements.

When I think of the word perseverance I think of prevailing despite all obstacles in challenges. We all have a story and come from different walks of life, but it is up to us to decide whether or not we will use this as a crutch or as motivation for success. When I think of someone who helped me to overcome obstacles in my life I think of myself because I had to push myself to continue to pursue my goals. During these challenging times of COVID-19 us college students had to persevere through various challenges. One of the many issues I had to face was depression. COVID occurred during a time where I was starting to feel comfortable stepping out of my comfort zone. I've always been shy and introverted and felt like I never fit in anywhere. I started gaining the confidence to join different clubs and meet new people. Once the pandemic happened we were all forced to leave campus immediately and quarantine. I felt very alone and useless during that time. All classes were online so that feeling of closeness you get in a classroom setting is gone. I also had family members who battled with COVID, so seeing how that impacted their physical and mental health took a toll on me knowing that there wasn't anything I could do. Your grades also start to slip because of the sudden switch to all classes being online. There are just some courses that you benefit more from having in person, so this definitely contributed to the obstacles I had to face. I also had to deal with financial struggles during my academic career. I came from a single parent household and we were a low income family. Despite not having the necessary resources and funding I still always prioritized my studies. Due to my determination to pursue higher education I was granted opportunities and networked with people who were willing to contribute to my education and extracurricular endeavors. I did not use my struggles as an excuse, instead I used them as a stepping stone towards achieving my goals. I make sure to remember why I started my journey to being educated and where I come from. During my time in school I have joined numerous clubs and took on leadership roles. I also volunteer to give back to the community and future generations to come to show them that you can be better than where you come from. Nothing worth having will come easy, and this is what motivates me to persevere through hardships and continue achieving my goals.

Incarceration has impacted my life in many ways. I grew up in a poor funding area in Fayetteville, North Carolina and went to Westover High School. My community dealt with high crime rates and poverty. It was very nerve-wracking seeing peers my age being incarcerated and/or killed. In my neighborhood there was always violence and shootings happening. Late at night I would always hear police sirens in our apartment complex. There's this constant fear and anxiety that you could possibly end up in danger or be at the wrong place at the wrong time. Being in this environment motivated me to do better in life and show others that despite where you come from anything is achievable. I also want to encourage others and future generations to pursue higher education. I also try to give back to my community as much as I can by volunteering. Just recently I donated to a glove and coat drive at my Alma mater for current students in need. I also try to give advice to current students about college life and the benefits to continuing your education beyond high school. Despite growing up in an area with high incarceration rates, I have excelled academically. I am currently a senior at Fayetteville State University majoring in Psychology with a minor in social work. Because of my scholastic achievements I have been placed on the Dean and Chancellor's list. I have been recently inducted into the Psi Chi International Honors Society in Psychology where I hold the current position as president. I have also joined several other merit-based organizations such as the National Council of Negro Women, NAACP, Psychology Club, The Green Team, and Enactus. After obtaining my master's degree I plan to help my local community and its youth. I want to help lead people on the right path and hopefully help lower incarceration rates in my area.

I've grown in so many ways over the past year. There was alot I experienced and learned over time that helped me develop as a person. I lost a close family friend Jason Walker to police brutality. This was a very hard time for me because his killing was broadcasted all over social media. His death took a huge toll on me mentally because my mom was planning a surprise meet up for all of us since we haven't seen each other in a while. The cop who killed him never faced charges, and it left an empty hole in all of our hearts. Despite dealing with the loss of Jason, I still persevered and continued to pursue my education. Due to my high scholastic achievements I have been placed on the Dean's and Chancellor's list. I have also become the president of Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology. I am currently the president of FSU Enactus Team. I'm a member of NAACP, the National Council of Negro Women, Active Minds, Psychology Club, The Green Team, Black Feminist Scholars, and our Campus Ministry. All of these organizations pride themselves on social justice, volunteer work, community outreach, and leadership. I would say this tragic event helped me to learn the importance and reward of perseverence. It was not easy constantly being reminded of the death of someone you know and love. I use this as motivation to work harder to make Jason proud. This also motivated me to be an advocate for social justice and to help make a change in our community. I have learned so much during the journey to self discovery. I learned that I am way stronger than I thought. I have the ability to achieve great things if I apply myself. I also learned to be more gentle with myself. I am my own biggest critique, and I am learning that no one is perfect, and we are all doing the best we can. Although alot has changed about me, some things also remained the same. I am still loving despite all that I have been through. I still have a love and passion for education and serving my community. I did go through a period of depression, but I had to push myself to continue excelling in my academics. I want to encourage others that growth is not always a bad thing and inspire others to do the inner work to make themselves a better person.

Ever since I was in high school I have always had the passion for making a positive impact on the lives of other people. During my time in high school I was apart of a program called “Delta Gems” we participated in various community service events such as volunteering at food banks, feeding the homeless, and donating care baskets to nursing homes. What inspires me to get involved in my community is how grateful the people are. I live by the Bible verse “it is better to give than it is to receive”. Growing up in the church we would dedicate some of our time to helping our local community. This past weekend we had a food drive where we handed out free groceries and hot meals to people in the surrounding area in collaboration with the Salvation Army. I am continuously doing the work of making a positive influence of change in my community by encouraging my peers to get also get involved. I have joined several organizations and mentoring programs that values community service. I am currently a member of The National Council of Negro Women and the mission is to lead, develop, and to be an advocate for women of African descent as they support their families and communities. Some volunteering projects we have participated in is a hygiene drive where we donated to a women’s shelter “Teague’s Home for Women”. During Thanksgiving we also did a canned food drive for people in need. Currently I volunteer with Manna Church Dream Center where we pass out lunches to a homeless shelter, we also provide bus passes, job opportunities, tents, and any other necessities. I also volunteer at Fayetteville Operation InAsMuch where we pass out hygiene kits and hot meals to the homeless community. Because of my passion to make a difference in the world, I also took on leadership roles on campus for organizations whose mission is to give back to those in need. I am currently the president for Fayetteville State University’s Enactus Team. Enactus is an internationally organization dedicated to inspiring students to improve the world through entrepreneurial action. One of the projects I currently lead is the “Dress for Success” closet. We help to provide opportunities for students to acquire free professional attire for interviews, work, or presentations. We also have the “Sewing for Success” project dedicated to providing career and entrepreneurial skills to local victims of domestic abuse and/or those who are homeless. My plan after graduate studies is to continue doing volunteer work and encourage others to get involved too. I plan to have my children also be volunteers and give back to people in need.

As a 23 year old college student who does not receive financial assistance from my parents, I am all too familiar with facing adversities when it comes to pursuing my career aspirations. Although I have faced many obstacles during my academic career I never let that stop me from achieving my dreams. Growing up I also prioritized academic excellence and volunteer work. I grew up in poverty and often struggled with not always having the resources for school or extracurricular activities. Somehow I still manage to make a way out of no way. An example of my determination to continue my career aspirations despite mental adversity was when I was facing depression in 2019. I took a gap year from another institution because I was facing suicidal thoughts. The pressure of feeling like you are not enough can get to you. I spent a long time in isolation because I felt as thought I was a failure. Although I was facing these issues, I still had a burning desire to make a difference in my life and in the world. After months of dealing with these mental adversities, I finally enrolled back to undergraduate studies at Fayetteville State University. Everyday I was thankful that I took a step in the right direction to obtain my Bachelor’s degree. During my time at Fayetteville State University I have taken on several leadership roles and joined numerous clubs and mentoring programs. I have been placed on the Dean’s and Chancellor’s list because of a scholastic achievements. My desire to be educated does not stop at the undergraduate level. I also intend to pursue my Master’s degree and intend to give back to my community by doing the work and also donating towards scholarships to help the next generation of future leaders. I understand the burden and mental stress that comes with having to worry about whether or not you have the support and finances to achieve your goals. There are so many people out there who have the work ethic and talents to make a positive change in the world, but are unable to fulfill their passions do to not having the money or resources. Being one of t people who faced this kind of adversity I want to be able to help alleviate this kind of burden. I am a huge advocate for mental health awareness which is why I chose my career path. Although I have faced many obstacles, I still continue to make advancements toward continuing my studies. I am a great candidate for this scholarship because I am a product of what it means to rise above any obstacles life may throw your way.

As a 23 year old college student who does not receive financial assistance from my parents, I am all too familiar with facing adversities when it comes to pursuing my career aspirations. Although I have faced many obstacles during my academic career I never let that stop me from achieving my dreams. Growing up I also prioritized academic excellence and volunteer work. I grew up in poverty and often struggled with not always having the resources for school or extracurricular activities. Somehow I still manage to make a way out of no way. An example of my determination to continue my career aspirations despite mental adversity was when I was facing depression in 2019. I took a gap year from another institution because I was facing suicidal thoughts. The pressure of feeling like you are not enough can get to you. I spent a long time in isolation because I felt as thought I was a failure. Although I was facing these issues, I still had a burning desire to make a difference in my life and in the world. After months of dealing with these mental adversities, I finally enrolled back to undergraduate studies at Fayetteville State University. Everyday I was thankful that I took a step in the right direction to obtain my Bachelor’s degree. During my time at Fayetteville State University I have taken on several leadership roles and joined numerous clubs and mentoring programs. I have been placed on the Dean’s and Chancellor’s list because of a scholastic achievements. My desire to be educated does not stop at the undergraduate level. I also intend to pursue my Master’s degree and intend to give back to my community by doing the work and also donating towards scholarships to help the next generation of future leaders. I understand the burden and mental stress that comes with having to worry about whether or not you have the support and finances to achieve your goals. There are so many people out there who have the work ethic and talents to make a positive change in the world, but are unable to fulfill their passions do to not having the money or resources. Being one of t people who faced this kind of adversity I want to be able to help alleviate this kind of burden. I am a huge advocate for mental health awareness which is why I chose my career path. Although I have faced many obstacles, I still continue to make advancements toward continuing my studies. I am a great candidate for this scholarship because I am a product of what it means to rise above any obstacles life may throw your way.

Losing a loved one is a very traumatic experience which can place an overwhelming burden on someone's ability to cope and excel in their academics. During my time in college I have lost a few people who are dear to me. It is easier said than done to just push through because there is the feeling of having a part of you missing. I lost a close family friend Jason Walker to police brutality. This was a very hard time for me because his killing was broadcasted all over social media. His death took a huge toll on me mentally because my mom was planning a surprise meet up for all of us since we haven't seen each other in a while. The cop who killed him never faced charges, and it left an empty hole in all of our hearts. Despite dealing with the loss of Jason, I still persevered and continued to pursue my education. Due to my high scholastic achievements I have been placed on the Dean's and Chancellor's list. I have also become the president of Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology. I am currently the president of FSU Enactus Team. I'm a member of NAACP, the National Council of Negro Women, Active Minds, Psychology Club, The Green Team, Black Feminist Scholars, and our Campus Ministry. All of these organizations pride themselves on social justice, volunteer work, community outreach, and leadership. I use this obstacle as motivation. Everyday I wake up I know that I am making Jason proud. I will continue to seek higher education and be the difference on my campus and in the community.

My experience with mental health has influenced my life in many ways. Growing up in a Christian household my family did not really acknowledge the importance of mental health. I had family members who were veterans suffering from PSTD, and because showing any signs of needing help is deemed as "weak" many issues would go untreated. We were taught that mental health issues were just "demons" when actuality our loved ones needed therapy, medication, and assistance. Because of what I have witnessed in my childhood, it inspired me to pursue my degree in psychology. I want to help change someone's life and encourage positive conversations surrounding mental health awareness. People underestimate the importance of acknowledging mental health and it shows in our everyday lives. Countless public shootings, suicides, homicides, etc. can be a result of not getting someone the proper help they need. There are so many people in our society who need therapy and psychological help, and if this goes unrecognized the results can be detrimental to our community. My goal is to have my own practice or become a social worker/counselor. I want to be able to teach future generations and make them aware of the importance of acknowledging mental health. Because of my passion for changing the conversation surrounding mental health, I have joined the organization "Active Minds" whose mission is to empower students to speak openly about mental health in order to educate others and encourage help-seeking. We are changing the culture on campuses and in the community by providing information, leadership opportunities and advocacy training to the next generation. We host events for mental health awareness month, de-stressing for finals, and many more activities that create a safe space for students to learn about the importance of mental health. My experience with mental health has influenced my relationships in many ways. Growing up with a family who did not acknowledge mental health, I have adopted behaviors that have negatively impacted me as a person. There were so many things I had to unlearn. I've developed anxiety that I still struggle with today. It impacted how I communicate with others and my level of empathy. You never know what someone can be battling internally that they never speak on, which is why I always try to be a listening ear and shoulder to cry on. I also understand that it is important not to judge a book by its cover. My experience with mental health has also helped to strengthen my faith in my religion. I have gone through many obstacles that I have overcome. Battling with depression and suicidal thoughts during school was one of the most challenging things I have had to face. My grades suffered tremendously and I felt as though I was a failure. What kept me going was my faith and trust with God. I had to change my outlook on things and I started praying more. This is when I started to see my life change for the better. My grades have improved and I have been placed on the Dean’s and Chancellor’s list due to my academic achievements.

As a 23 year old college student who does not receive financial assistance from my parents, I am all too familiar with facing adversities when it comes to pursuing my career aspirations. Although I have faced many obstacles during my academic career I never let that stop me from achieving my dreams. Growing up I also prioritized academic excellence and volunteer work. I grew up in poverty and often struggled with not always having the resources for school or extracurricular activities. Somehow I still manage to make a way out of no way. An example of my determination to continue my career aspirations despite mental adversity was when I was facing depression in 2019. I took a gap year from another institution because I was facing suicidal thoughts. The pressure of feeling like you are not enough can get to you. I spent a long time in isolation because I felt as thought I was a failure. Although I was facing these issues, I still had a burning desire to make a difference in my life and in the world. After months of dealing with these mental adversities, I finally enrolled back to undergraduate studies at Fayetteville State University. Everyday I was thankful that I took a step in the right direction to obtain my Bachelor’s degree. During my time at Fayetteville State University I have taken on several leadership roles and joined numerous clubs and mentoring programs. I have been placed on the Dean’s and Chancellor’s list because of a scholastic achievements. My desire to be educated does not stop at the undergraduate level. I also intend to pursue my Master’s degree and intend to give back to my community by doing the work and also donating towards scholarships to help the next generation of future leaders. I understand the burden and mental stress that comes with having to worry about whether or not you have the support and finances to achieve your goals. There are so many people out there who have the work ethic and talents to make a positive change in the world, but are unable to fulfill their passions do to not having the money or resources. Being one of t people who faced this kind of adversity I want to be able to help alleviate this kind of burden. I am a huge advocate for mental health awareness which is why I chose my career path. Although I have faced many obstacles, I still continue to make advancements toward continuing my studies. I am a great candidate for this scholarship because I am a product of what it means to rise above any obstacles life may throw your way.

My experience with mental health has influenced my life in many ways. Growing up in a Christian household my family did not really acknowledge the importance of mental health. I had family members who were veterans suffering from PSTD, and because showing any signs of needing help is deemed as "weak" many issues would go untreated. We were taught that mental health issues were just "demons" when actuality our loved ones needed therapy, medication, and assistance. Because of what I have witnessed in my childhood, it inspired me to pursue my degree in psychology. I want to help change someone's life and encourage positive conversations surrounding mental health awareness. People underestimate the importance of acknowledging mental health and it shows in our everyday lives. Countless public shootings, suicides, homicides, etc. can be a result of not getting someone the proper help they need. There are so many people in our society who need therapy and psychological help, and if this goes unrecognized the results can be detrimental to our community. My goal is to have my own practice or become a social worker/counselor. I want to be able to teach future generations and make them aware of the importance of acknowledging mental health. Because of my passion for changing the conversation surrounding mental health, I have joined the organization "Active Minds" whose mission is to empower students to speak openly about mental health in order to educate others and encourage help-seeking.  We are changing the culture on campuses and in the community by providing information, leadership opportunities and advocacy training to the next generation. We host events for mental health awareness month, de-stressing for finals, and many more activities that create a safe space for students to learn about the importance of mental health. My experience with mental health has influenced my relationships in many ways. Growing up with a family who did not acknowledge mental health, I have adopted behaviors that have negatively impacted me as a person. There were so many things I had to unlearn. I've developed anxiety that I still struggle with today. It impacted how I communicate with others and my level of empathy. You never know what someone can be battling internally that they never speak on, which is why I always try to be a listening ear and shoulder to cry on. I also understand that it is important not to judge a book by its cover. My experience with mental health has also helped to strengthen my faith in my religion. I have gone through many obstacles that I have overcome. Battling with depression and suicidal thoughts during school was one of the most challenging things I have had to face. My grades suffered tremendously and I felt as though I was a failure. What kept me going was my faith and trust with God. I had to change my outlook on things and I started praying more. This is when I started to see my life change for the better. My grades have improved and I have been placed on the Dean’s and Chancellor’s list due to my academic achievements.

When I think of the word perseverance I think of prevailing despite all obstacles in challenges. We all have a story and come from different walks of life, but it is up to us to decide whether or not we will use this as a crutch or as motivation for success. During these challenging times of COVID-19 us college students had to persevere through various challenges. One of the many issues I had to face was depression. COVID occurred during a time where I was starting to feel comfortable stepping out of my comfort zone. I've always been shy and introverted and felt like I never fit in anywhere. I started gaining the confidence to join different clubs and meet new people. Once the pandemic happened we were all forced to leave campus immediately and quarantine. I felt very alone and useless during that time. All classes were online so that feeling of closeness you get in a classroom setting is gone. I also had family members who battled with COVID, so seeing how that impacted their physical and mental health took a toll on me knowing that there wasn't anything I could do. Your grades also start to slip because of the sudden switch to all classes being online. There are just some courses that you benefit more from having in person, so this definitely contributed to the obstacles I had to face. I also had to deal with financial struggles during my academic career. I came from a single parent household and we were a low income family. Despite not having the necessary resources and funding I still always prioritized my studies. Due to my determination to pursue higher education I was granted opportunities and networked with people who were willing to contribute to my education and extracurricular endeavors. I did not use my struggles as an excuse, instead I used them as a stepping stone towards achieving my goals. I make sure to remember why I started my journey to being educated and where I come from. During my time in school I have joined numerous clubs and took on leadership roles. I also volunteer to give back to the community and future generations to come to show them that you can be better than where you come from. Nothing worth having will come easy, and this is what motivates me to persevere through hardships and continue achieving my goals.

Ever since I was in high school I have always had the passion for making a positive impact on the lives of other people. During my time in high school I was apart of a program called “Delta Gems” we participated in various community service events such as volunteering at food banks, feeding the homeless, and donating care baskets to nursing homes. What inspires me to get involved in my community is how grateful the people are. I live by the Bible verse “it is better to give than it is to receive”. Growing up in the church we would dedicate some of our time to helping our local community. This past weekend we had a food drive where we handed out free groceries and hot meals to people in the surrounding area in collaboration with the Salvation Army. I am continuously doing the work of making a positive influence of change in my community by encouraging my peers to get also get involved. I have joined several organizations and mentoring programs that values community service. I am currently a member of The National Council of Negro Women and the mission is to lead, develop, and to be an advocate for women of African descent as they support their families and communities. Some volunteering projects we have participated in is a hygiene drive where we donated to a women’s shelter “Teague’s Home for Women”. During Thanksgiving we also did a canned food drive for people in need. Currently I volunteer with Manna Church Dream Center where we pass out lunches to a homeless shelter, we also provide bus passes, job opportunities, tents, and any other necessities. I also volunteer at Fayetteville Operation InAsMuch where we pass out hygiene kits and hot meals to the homeless community. Because of my passion to make a difference in the world, I also took on leadership roles on campus for organizations whose mission is to give back to those in need. I am currently the president for Fayetteville State University’s Enactus Team. Enactus is an internationally organization dedicated to inspiring students to improve the world through entrepreneurial action. One of the projects I currently lead is the “Dress for Success” closet. We help to provide opportunities for students to acquire free professional attire for interviews, work, or presentations. We also have the “Sewing for Success” project dedicated to providing career and entrepreneurial skills to local victims of domestic abuse and/or those who are homeless. My plan after graduate studies is to continue doing volunteer work and encourage others to get involved too. I plan to have my children also be volunteers and give back to people in need.

Ever since I was in high school I have always had the passion for making a positive impact on the lives of other people. During my time in high school I was apart of a program called “Delta Gems” we participated in various community service events such as volunteering at food banks, feeding the homeless, and donating care baskets to nursing homes. What inspires me to get involved in my community is how grateful the people are. I live by the Bible verse “it is better to give than it is to receive”. Growing up in the church we would dedicate some of our time to helping our local community. This past weekend we had a food drive where we handed out free groceries and hot meals to people in the surrounding area in collaboration with the Salvation Army. I am continuously doing the work of making a positive influence of change in my community by encouraging my peers to get also get involved. I have joined several organizations and mentoring programs that values community service. I am currently a member of The National Council of Negro Women and the mission is to lead, develop, and to be an advocate for women of African descent as they support their families and communities. Some volunteering projects we have participated in is a hygiene drive where we donated to a women’s shelter “Teague’s Home for Women”. During Thanksgiving we also did a canned food drive for people in need. Currently I volunteer with Manna Church Dream Center where we pass out lunches to a homeless shelter, we also provide bus passes, job opportunities, tents, and any other necessities. I also volunteer at Fayetteville Operation InAsMuch where we pass out hygiene kits and hot meals to the homeless community. Because of my passion to make a difference in the world, I also took on leadership roles on campus for organizations whose mission is to give back to those in need. I am currently the president for Fayetteville State University’s Enactus Team. Enactus is an internationally organization dedicated to inspiring students to improve the world through entrepreneurial action. One of the projects I currently lead is the “Dress for Success” closet. We help to provide opportunities for students to acquire free professional attire for interviews, work, or presentations. We also have the “Sewing for Success” project dedicated to providing career and entrepreneurial skills to local victims of domestic abuse and/or those who are homeless. My plan after graduate studies is to continue doing volunteer work and encourage others to get involved too. I plan to have my children also be volunteers and give back to people in need.

Ever since I was in high school I have always had the passion for making a positive impact on the lives of other people. During my time in high school I was apart of a program called “Delta Gems” we participated in various community service events such as volunteering at food banks, feeding the homeless, and donating care baskets to nursing homes. What inspires me to get involved in my community is how grateful the people are. I live by the Bible verse “it is better to give than it is to receive”. Growing up in the church we would dedicate some of our time to helping our local community. This past weekend we had a food drive where we handed out free groceries and hot meals to people in the surrounding area in collaboration with the Salvation Army. I am continuously doing the work of making a positive influence of change in my community by encouraging my peers to get also get involved. I have joined several organizations and mentoring programs that values community service. I am currently a member of The National Council of Negro Women and the mission is to lead, develop, and to be an advocate for women of African descent as they support their families and communities. Some volunteering projects we have participated in is a hygiene drive where we donated to a women’s shelter “Teague’s Home for Women”. During Thanksgiving we also did a canned food drive for people in need. Currently I volunteer with Manna Church Dream Center where we pass out lunches to a homeless shelter, we also provide bus passes, job opportunities, tents, and any other necessities. I also volunteer at Fayetteville Operation InAsMuch where we pass out hygiene kits and hot meals to the homeless community. Because of my passion to make a difference in the world, I also took on leadership roles on campus for organizations whose mission is to give back to those in need. I am currently the president for Fayetteville State University’s Enactus Team. Enactus is an internationally organization dedicated to inspiring students to improve the world through entrepreneurial action. One of the projects I currently lead is the “Dress for Success” closet. We help to provide opportunities for students to acquire free professional attire for interviews, work, or presentations. We also have the “Sewing for Success” project dedicated to providing career and entrepreneurial skills to local victims of domestic abuse and/or those who are homeless. My plan after graduate studies is to continue doing volunteer work and encourage others to get involved too. I plan to have my children also be volunteers and give back to people in need.

Ever since I was in high school I have always had the passion for making a positive impact on the lives of other people. During my time in high school I was apart of a program called “Delta Gems” we participated in various community service events such as volunteering at food banks, feeding the homeless, and donating care baskets to nursing homes. What inspires me to get involved in my community is how grateful the people are. I live by the Bible verse “it is better to give than it is to receive”. Growing up in the church we would dedicate some of our time to helping our local community. This past weekend we had a food drive where we handed out free groceries and hot meals to people in the surrounding area in collaboration with the Salvation Army. I am continuously doing the work of making a positive influence of change in my community by encouraging my peers to get also get involved. I have joined several organizations and mentoring programs that values community service. I am currently a member of The National Council of Negro Women and the mission is to lead, develop, and to be an advocate for women of African descent as they support their families and communities. Some volunteering projects we have participated in is a hygiene drive where we donated to a women’s shelter “Teague’s Home for Women”. During Thanksgiving we also did a canned food drive for people in need. Currently I volunteer with Manna Church Dream Center where we pass out lunches to a homeless shelter, we also provide bus passes, job opportunities, tents, and any other necessities. I also volunteer at Fayetteville Operation InAsMuch where we pass out hygiene kits and hot meals to the homeless community. Because of my passion to make a difference in the world, I also took on leadership roles on campus for organizations whose mission is to give back to those in need. I am currently the president for Fayetteville State University’s Enactus Team. Enactus is an internationally organization dedicated to inspiring students to improve the world through entrepreneurial action. One of the projects I currently lead is the “Dress for Success” closet. We help to provide opportunities for students to acquire free professional attire for interviews, work, or presentations. We also have the “Sewing for Success” project dedicated to providing career and entrepreneurial skills to local victims of domestic abuse and/or those who are homeless. My plan after graduate studies is to continue doing volunteer work and encourage others to get involved too. I plan to have my children also be volunteers and give back to people in need.

Being a student who prioritizes higher education, having the burden of student loan debt can be a significant source of stress. I grew up without the necessary resources and funding needed for school and extracurricular activities, but through my determination and perseverance I still made a way with no way. Currently I am a single 23 year old working a full time job while also being a full time student juggling 9 extracurricular clubs, and also holding leadership positions. I currently do not receive financial assistance through my parents, so my plan to pay off my student loan debt is to pay a little of it at time each month once I receive my checks. I am very big on creating a set budget so I can make sure I am paying all bills and expenses in a timely manner. This can be a bit challenging on a fixed income. My next plan of action was to apply for scholarships to help cover the expenses of my academic career. Receiving this scholarship will be a huge honor, and help me to pursue my passion of helping others. I have always been one to value hard work and dedication to your dreams and goals. Everyday I make plans to help reach all of my dreams and passions. My goal once I have all of my student loan debt paid off is to create scholarships for future generations of youth in the same shoes as me. I am very big on giving back to the community that helped to shape who I am as a person today. Being a college student who understands the financial stress of being in school, I want to help relieve this stress so that upcoming professionals can pursue their careers to the best of their ability. College students are our future for society, and it’s important to support them to the highest degree. There are several students out there who have the ability to make a positive change in the world, but they are unable to do so due to not having available funding. If I am granted the opportunity to receiving this funding, I will be able to continue my education without the financial stress, thus improving my mental health and grades. I can further my education by pursuing my masters degree. I will then use my knowledge to give back to others and help better my community.

Being a student who prioritizes higher education, having the burden of student loan debt can be a significant source of stress. I grew up without the necessary resources and funding needed for school and extracurricular activities, but through my determination and perseverance I still made a way with no way. Currently I am a single 23 year old working a full time job while also being a full time student juggling 9 extracurricular clubs, and also holding leadership positions. I currently do not receive financial assistance through my parents, so my plan to pay off my student loan debt is to pay a little of it at time each month once I receive my checks. I am very big on creating a set budget so I can make sure I am paying all bills and expenses in a timely manner. This can be a bit challenging on a fixed income. My next plan of action was to apply for scholarships to help cover the expenses of my academic career. Receiving this scholarship will be a huge honor, and help me to pursue my passion of helping others. I have always been one to value hard work and dedication to your dreams and goals. Everyday I make plans to help reach all of my dreams and passions. My goal once I have all of my student loan debt paid off is to create scholarships for future generations of youth in the same shoes as me. I am very big on giving back to the community that helped to shape who I am as a person today. Being a college student who understands the financial stress of being in school, I want to help relieve this stress so that upcoming professionals can pursue their careers to the best of their ability. College students are our future for society, and it’s important to support them to the highest degree. There are several students out there who have the ability to make a positive change in the world, but they are unable to do so due to not having available funding. If I am granted the opportunity to receiving this funding, I will be able to continue my education without the financial stress, thus improving my mental health and grades. I can further my education by pursuing my masters degree. I will then use my knowledge to give back to others and help better my community.

Ever since I was in high school I have always had the passion for making a positive impact on the lives of other people. During my time in high school I was apart of a program called “Delta Gems” we participated in various community service events such as volunteering at food banks, feeding the homeless, and donating care baskets to nursing homes. What inspires me to get involved in my community is how grateful the people are. I live by the Bible verse “it is better to give than it is to receive”. Growing up in the church we would dedicate some of our time to helping our local community. This past weekend we had a food drive where we handed out free groceries and hot meals to people in the surrounding area in collaboration with the Salvation Army. I am continuously doing the work of making a positive influence of change in my community by encouraging my peers to get also get involved. I have joined several organizations and mentoring programs that values community service. I am currently a member of The National Council of Negro Women and the mission is to lead, develop, and to be an advocate for women of African descent as they support their families and communities. Some volunteering projects we have participated in is a hygiene drive where we donated to a women’s shelter “Teague’s Home for Women”. During Thanksgiving we also did a canned food drive for people in need. Currently I volunteer with Manna Church Dream Center where we pass out lunches to a homeless shelter, we also provide bus passes, job opportunities, tents, and any other necessities. I also volunteer at Fayetteville Operation InAsMuch where we pass out hygiene kits and hot meals to the homeless community. Because of my passion to make a difference in the world, I also took on leadership roles on campus for organizations whose mission is to give back to those in need. I am currently the president for Fayetteville State University’s Enactus Team. Enactus is an internationally organization dedicated to inspiring students to improve the world through entrepreneurial action. One of the projects I currently lead is the “Dress for Success” closet. We help to provide opportunities for students to acquire free professional attire for interviews, work, or presentations. We also have the “Sewing for Success” project dedicated to providing career and entrepreneurial skills to local victims of domestic abuse and/or those who are homeless. My plan after graduate studies is to continue doing volunteer work and encourage others to get involved too. I plan to have my children also be volunteers and give back to people in need.

As a 23 year old college student who does not receive financial assistance from my parents, I am all too familiar with facing adversities when it comes to pursuing my career aspirations. Although I have faced many obstacles during my academic career I never let that stop me from achieving my dreams. Growing up I also prioritized academic excellence and volunteer work. I grew up in poverty and often struggled with not always having the resources for school or extracurricular activities. Somehow I still manage to make a way out of no way. An example of my determination to continue my career aspirations despite mental adversity was when I was facing depression in 2019. I took a gap year from another institution because I was facing suicidal thoughts. The pressure of feeling like you are not enough can get to you. I spent a long time in isolation because I felt as thought I was a failure. Although I was facing these issues, I still had a burning desire to make a difference in my life and in the world. After months of dealing with these mental adversities, I finally enrolled back to undergraduate studies at Fayetteville State University. Everyday I was thankful that I took a step in the right direction to obtain my Bachelor’s degree. During my time at Fayetteville State University I have taken on several leadership roles and joined numerous clubs and mentoring programs. I have been placed on the Dean’s and Chancellor’s list because of a scholastic achievements. My desire to be educated does not stop at the undergraduate level. I also intend to pursue my Master’s degree and intend to give back to my community by doing the work and also donating towards scholarships to help the next generation of future leaders. I understand the burden and mental stress that comes with having to worry about whether or not you have the support and finances to achieve your goals. There are so many people out there who have the work ethic and talents to make a positive change in the world, but are unable to fulfill their passions do to not having the money or resources. Being one of t people who faced this kind of adversity I want to be able to help alleviate this kind of burden. I am a huge advocate for mental health awareness which is why I chose my career path. Although I have faced many obstacles, I still continue to make advancements toward continuing my studies. I am a great candidate for this scholarship because I am a product of what it means to rise above any obstacles life may throw your way.

Being a student who prioritizes higher education, having the burden of student loan debt can be a significant source of stress. I grew up without the necessary resources and funding needed for school and extracurricular activities, but through my determination and perseverance I still made a way with no way. Currently I am a single 23 year old working a full time job while also being a full time student juggling 9 extracurricular clubs, and also holding leadership positions. I currently do not receive financial assistance through my parents, so my plan to pay off my student loan debt is to pay a little of it at time each month once I receive my checks. I am very big on creating a set budget so I can make sure I am paying all bills and expenses in a timely manner. This can be a bit challenging on a fixed income. My next plan of action was to apply for scholarships to help cover the expenses of my academic career. Receiving this scholarship will be a huge honor, and help me to pursue my passion of helping others. I have always been one to value hard work and dedication to your dreams and goals. Everyday I make plans to help reach all of my dreams and passions. My goal once I have all of my student loan debt paid off is to create scholarships for future generations of youth in the same shoes as me. I am very big on giving back to the community that helped to shape who I am as a person today. Being a college student who understands the financial stress of being in school, I want to help relieve this stress so that upcoming professionals can pursue their careers to the best of their ability. College students are our future for society, and it’s important to support them to the highest degree. There are several students out there who have the ability to make a positive change in the world, but they are unable to do so due to not having available funding. If I am granted the opportunity to receiving this funding, I will be able to continue my education without the financial stress, thus improving my mental health and grades. I can further my education by pursuing my masters degree. I will then use my knowledge to give back to others and help better my community.

Being a student who prioritizes higher education, having the burden of student loan debt can be a significant source of stress. I grew up without the necessary resources and funding needed for school and extracurricular activities, but through my determination and perseverance I still made a way with no way. Currently I am a single 23 year old working a full time job while also being a full time student juggling 9 extracurricular clubs, and also holding leadership positions. I currently do not receive financial assistance through my parents, so my plan to pay off my student loan debt is to pay a little of it at time each month once I receive my checks. I am very big on creating a set budget so I can make sure I am paying all bills and expenses in a timely manner. This can be a bit challenging on a fixed income. My next plan of action was to apply for scholarships to help cover the expenses of my academic career. Receiving this scholarship will be a huge honor, and help me to pursue my passion of helping others. I have always been one to value hard work and dedication to your dreams and goals. Everyday I make plans to help reach all of my dreams and passions. My goal once I have all of my student loan debt paid off is to create scholarships for future generations of youth in the same shoes as me. I am very big on giving back to the community that helped to shape who I am as a person today. Being a college student who understands the financial stress of being in school, I want to help relieve this stress so that upcoming professionals can pursue their careers to the best of their ability. College students are our future for society, and it’s important to support them to the highest degree. There are several students out there who have the ability to make a positive change in the world, but they are unable to do so due to not having available funding. If I am granted the opportunity to receiving this funding, I will be able to continue my education without the financial stress, thus improving my mental health and grades. I can further my education by pursuing my masters degree. I will then use my knowledge to give back to others and help better my community.