I am a single parent whose journey through higher education has been shaped by responsibility, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to building a better future. Parenthood transformed my academic goals from personal ambition into a purposeful pursuit rooted in stability, service, and long-term impact. Every class I take and every challenge I overcome is driven by the knowledge that my education will not only change my life, but also the lives of my children and the community I hope to serve. Balancing higher education with the responsibilities of raising two children has required discipline, sacrifice, and resilience. My days are carefully structured around coursework, parenting, and work, often leaving little room for rest. Seasonal illnesses and asthma complications with my oldest child have made this discipline much more important. There have been moments of exhaustion and uncertainty, but these challenges have strengthened my time-management skills, focus, and determination. As a single parent, I have learned to persist through difficulty, adapt quickly, and remain committed to my goals even when the path feels overwhelming. My experience as a single parent has also shaped my desire to pursue a career in law. I plan to become an attorney and dedicate my career to prosecuting sex crimes and domestic violence. Parenthood has deepened my understanding of vulnerability and the importance of safety, justice, and accountability. I am especially motivated to advocate for individuals who have experienced abuse and trauma—those whose voices are often ignored or silenced. I believe that access to justice is a vital part of building safer families and stronger communities. Through my education, I am preparing not only for a profession, but for a role of service. As a prosecutor, I plan to work closely with community organizations, victim advocates, and law enforcement to help protect survivors and hold offenders accountable. I want to contribute to a justice system that is firm, fair, and compassionate—one that prioritizes dignity and healing while pursuing accountability under the law. Being a single parent has shaped me into a focused, empathetic, and purpose-driven individual. Higher education represents opportunity, stability, and the ability to create meaningful change. This scholarship would allow me to continue my education with greater focus and less financial strain, bringing me one step closer to a career dedicated to justice and community protection. I am committed to using my education to make a positive and lasting impact—both for my children and for those who need an advocate the most.

My faith has been a constant foundation throughout my life, but it was during one of my most difficult seasons—my divorce—that it was truly tested and strengthened. Having grown up in church, I was familiar with scripture and prayer, yet hardship required me to move beyond familiarity and lean fully into faith for guidance, healing, and endurance. What felt like a breaking point ultimately became a turning point in my spiritual growth. Divorce and single motherhood brought feelings of loss, uncertainty, and vulnerability. In that season, I turned to God not only for comfort, but for understanding and purpose. Through prayer and reflection, I learned to trust God even when outcomes were not what I expected. My faith reminded me that hardship does not signify abandonment, but rather an opportunity for growth and refinement. I emerged from this experience with a deeper reliance on God and a clearer sense of calling rooted in compassion, justice, and resilience. One verse that has continually guided me is Micah 6:8, which teaches the importance of acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God. This scripture reflects both my personal faith journey and my professional aspirations. It has shaped how I view adversity—not as something that defines me, but as something that equips me to serve others with empathy and integrity. My desire to become an attorney, specifically to prosecute sex crimes and domestic violence, is deeply connected to my faith. Having experienced emotional hardship myself, I am especially driven to advocate for those whose voices are often silenced by fear or trauma. My faith has instilled in me a strong sense of moral responsibility to stand up for the vulnerable and to pursue justice with both courage and compassion. I believe that true justice requires not only legal knowledge, but also humility, mercy, and an unwavering commitment to what is right. As I pursue my education and future legal career, my faith will continue to guide my decisions, strengthen my resolve, and remind me of the purpose behind my work. It will help me remain grounded in integrity when faced with difficult cases and emotional challenges. Most importantly, it will remind me that my calling is not only to uphold the law, but to serve others with fairness, dignity, and compassion. This scholarship would support not just my academic goals, but my commitment to using my education as a means of service. Guided by faith and strengthened through adversity, I am determined to pursue a career that reflects the values I hold deeply—justice, mercy, and humility.

Becoming a parent fundamentally reshaped my journey through higher education, transforming both the challenges I face and the purpose behind my goals. While pursuing my education was already important to me, single parenthood gave it deeper meaning and urgency. My academic path is no longer just about personal achievement. It is about building stability, opportunity, and a future my children can be proud of. Balancing coursework with parenting responsibilities and work has required constant adjustment. My days are carefully structured around assignments and my children’s needs, often leaving little room for rest. There have been moments when exhaustion made studying difficult and unexpected responsibilities disrupted carefully planned schedules. My childrens' sicknesses and asthma diagnosis have made studies more difficult. However, these challenges have strengthened my discipline and time-management skills. I have learned to work efficiently, prioritize effectively, and remain focused even under pressure. These skills extend far beyond the classroom. Single parenthood has also strengthened my motivation. When academic demands feel overwhelming, I remind myself why I started this journey. My education represents security, opportunity, and the ability to provide a better life for my children. Knowing that my persistence sets an example of resilience and determination gives me the drive to continue, even during the most demanding times. I want my children to grow up seeing education not as an obligation, but as a powerful tool for growth and possibility. Even if I do not reach my full goal of becoming an attorney, my children will be able to see the steps I took to provide a better future for them. In addition to motivation, being a parent has given me perspective. I approach my studies with maturity and purpose, understanding the long-term value of each class and each milestone. I no longer take learning for granted, and I am deeply invested in making the most of every opportunity. Parenthood has taught me patience, problem-solving, and adaptability. These qualities enhance my academic performance and prepare me for future professional challenges. While the path of a student-parent is not easy, it has shaped me into a more resilient, focused, and determined individual. Higher education is not simply a personal goal for me; it is a commitment to creating a stronger future for my family. This scholarship would not only support my academic journey, but would also reinforce my efforts to build a life defined by perseverance, responsibility, and hope. I am committed to continuing my education with purpose and determination, knowing that each step forward benefits both myself and my children.

One of the most challenging aspects of being both a student and a single parent is the constant balancing act required to succeed in both roles. As a separated mother of two little girls, my days are filled with responsibilities that extend far beyond the classroom. I am not only working toward my academic goals, but also serving as the primary source of emotional, financial, and physical support for my children. There is little room for error, rest, or delay. When coursework deadlines overlap with childcare challenges, illness, or moments when my daughters simply need their mother, the pressure can feel overwhelming. Returning to school while navigating my separation from my husband has been one of the most difficult yet purposeful decisions I have made. It requires immense discipline and sacrifice to manage coursework, household responsibilities, and parenting without a partner to share the load. Financial strain is one of the most significant obstacles I face as a single parent. Tuition, textbooks, childcare, and everyday living expenses accumulate quickly, often forcing me to stretch limited resources and make difficult choices. Despite these challenges, I remain deeply committed to my education because I understand that this investment is essential to building a stable and independent future for my family. Beyond the financial and logistical challenges, there is an emotional weight that comes with being both a student and a single parent. I often study late into the night after my daughters are asleep, knowing that every hour spent on my education is an hour taken away from rest or personal time. However, I am driven by the knowledge that my efforts today will create opportunities for my children tomorrow. My daughters are learning resilience by watching me persevere, and I hope to instill in them the belief that challenges do not define limitations, but rather opportunities for growth. This scholarship would play a critical role in helping me move forward. Financial support would reduce the constant stress of making ends meet, allowing me to focus more fully on my academic success and on being present for my children. It would provide relief from the pressures that often threaten to derail progress for students in my position. With this assistance, I could devote more time to my studies, participate more actively in my academic community, and continue progressing toward my degree with confidence. Ultimately, this scholarship represents more than financial assistance; it represents hope, encouragement, and belief in my potential. By earning my degree, I am paving the way for long-term stability, independence, and opportunity for my daughters and myself. This support would empower me to turn perseverance into progress and create a future defined by strength, education, and possibility. More than financial assistance, this scholarship represents hope. It affirms that my goals are attainable and that my perseverance matters. By earning my degree, I am paving the way toward a career that will provide security, independence, and a better quality of life for my daughters. I want them to grow up knowing that their mother chose courage over comfort, education over fear, and persistence over hardship. This scholarship would help turn that example into a lasting foundation for our future. Eventually, I will be an attorney. I look forward to the day that I am financially able to bless another single mother with college funding so that she can provide for her child[ren] without the need for crushing student loans.