To honor the love and legacy of Ms. Linda Hicks, I am applying for this memorial scholarship with a deep commitment to supporting African American women as well as young Afrrican American women who have been impacted by abusive relationships and substance addiction. My journey, both personal and professional, has equipped me with a profound understanding of these issues and a steadfast resolve to make a difference. I have dedicated 20 years to educating and supporting children from low-income families, many of whom have parents suffering from domestic violence and mental health issues. My career started at an elementary school, where I worked closely with young children who faced significant challenges at home. I provided them with a safe and nurturing environment, offering stability and support that was often missing in their lives. Currently, I teach at a high school, where I continue to work with students and parents facing similar struggles. In addition to teaching, I coach the girls' basketball team, providing mentorship and guidance to young women, many of whom have experienced trauma over the course of their lives. Through basketball, I teach them teamwork, resilience, and the importance of setting and achieving personal goals. My dedication to this cause is also deeply personal. I come from a low-income family, raised by a single mother who endured physical and mental abuse from my father before his incarceration. Growing up in such an environment instilled in me a profound empathy and a drive to support others facing similar challenges. As a 45-year-old single mother of three, I have faced my own fair share of struggles, and overcame many obstacles. I have always remained committed to improving my situation, not just for myself, but to provide better opportunities for my children as well as helping others do the same. After several attempts at continuing my education, I now attend Grambling State University, pursuing a degree in General Studies with a concentration in Juvenile Behavioral Studies and a minor in Child Development and Early Literacy. This educational path is directly aligned with my passion for supporting children and families affected by abuse and addiction. With this scholarship, I plan to further my education and enhance my ability to assist others. My goal is to develop and implement programs that provide comprehensive support to victims of abuse and addiction, focusing on counseling, education, and community outreach. By leveraging my experience as an educator and my personal background, I aim to create a positive impact on the lives of African American women, children and their families. Thank you for allowing and supporting people such as myself, an individual who overcame so many obstacles and underlying issues to be considered and afforded the opportunity to apply for this scholarship. I am wholeheartedly committed to the betterment of myself so that my children can live a better life than the one I had to endure. I will make a difference someday in not just my community but all the surrounding communities as well. Thanks again for considering me for the Linda Hicks Memorial Scholarship. This is truly a blessing and an honor.

In the future, I aspire to advance my career in education to uplift and empower low poverty communities, particularly those of African American descent. I see myself serving as a beacon of hope and inspiration for students who may face systemic barriers and societal challenges. By fostering a safe and fair learning environment, I aim to instill in my students a sense of pride, resilience, and agency, enabling them to overcome obstacles and realize their full potential. Through mentorship, advocacy, and community engagement, I aspire to enact positive change not only within the classroom but also within the broader educational landscape. Being black to me means embracing my heritage, culture, and identity with pride and dignity. It means recognizing the resilience, strength, and resilience of my ancestors who fought tirelessly for freedom, justice, and equality. It means standing in solidarity with my community, amplifying marginalized voices, and advocating for social justice and equity. Being black is not just a label but a celebration of the rich tapestry of experiences, traditions, and contributions that have shaped and enriched the fabric of society. I chose to attend an HBCU (Grambling State University) because of their rich legacy of academic excellence, cultural affirmation, and community empowerment. This institution provides a nurturing and supportive environment where students of African descent can thrive academically, socially, and culturally. Moreover, HBCUs offer a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, forge lifelong bonds, and cultivate leadership skills within a community that celebrates diversity and celebrates black excellence.

Title: Embracing the Call: A Journey to Teaching From the busy and constant activity in the halls of the school to the energetic courts of the basketball court, my life has been delicately woven with the fabric of education. As a single mother of three, my path in the educational realm has been both a calling and a commitment. With over two decades of service as a Paraprofessional and a devout dedication to coaching high school girls' basketball, my journey has been one of unwavering passion and profound purpose. Now, as I prepare for a new chapter, the allure of becoming an educator beckons me with an irresistible force. My journey into the heart of education began long ago, fueled by a desire to make a difference in the lives of young minds. As a Paraprofessional, I had the privilege of working closely with students, providing them with the support and guidance they needed to flourish academically and personally. Each day presented a new opportunity to inspire, motivate, and instill a love for learning within these impressionable souls. Whether it was assisting a struggling reader in learning new sight words, unlocking the mysteries of literature, or nurturing the curiosity of a blossoming scientist, I found comfort and fulfillment in the transformative power of education. Beyond the confines of the classroom, the basketball court became my sanctuary—a realm where discipline, teamwork, and perseverance reigned supreme. Coaching high school girls' basketball was not merely a duty but a calling—one that allowed me to impart invaluable life lessons beyond the boundaries of the game. Through victories and defeats, triumphs and setbacks, I witnessed firsthand the resilience and determination of my players, instilling in them the belief that with dedication and hard work, anything is possible. As I reflect on my journey, I am reminded of the profound influence of my mother—a loyal, reliable, and hardworking educator who dedicated 35 years of her life to shaping the minds and hearts of countless students. Her unwavering passion for teaching, coupled with her boundless compassion, served as a beacon of inspiration for me, igniting a fire within my soul to follow in her footsteps and carry on her legacy. Now, as I embark on the next chapter of my career, the prospect of becoming an educator fills me with both excitement and humility. I am eager to immerse myself in the art of teaching—to inspire, empower, and nurture the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and dreamers. Armed with a wealth of experience, a heart full of compassion, and a relentless drive to make a difference, I am prepared to embrace the challenges and triumphs that lie ahead. In this important stage of life, the threads of education have intertwined with the very essence of my being, shaping me into the person I am today. As I set forth on this new adventure, I do so with a profound sense of purpose and a deep-rooted commitment to the transformative power of education. For in the high demand of teachers lies the opportunity to not only impact individual lives but to shape the course of humanity itself—one lesson, one student, and one heart at a time. Ultimately, this scholarship will not only help me achieve my aspirations of becoming a teacher but will also empower me to inspire, empower, and nurture the next generation of learners. By investing in my education, this scholarship invests in the future of countless students whose lives I aim to touch and transform through the power of education.

Title: Embracing the Call: A Journey to Teaching From the busy and constant activity in the halls of the school to the energetic courts of the basketball court, my life has been delicately woven with the fabric of education. As a single mother of three, my path in the educational realm has been both a calling and a commitment. With over two decades of service as a Paraprofessional and a devout dedication to coaching high school girls' basketball, my journey has been one of unwavering passion and profound purpose. Now, as I prepare for a new chapter, the allure of becoming an educator beckons me with an irresistible force. My journey into the heart of education began long ago, fueled by a desire to make a difference in the lives of young minds. As a Paraprofessional, I had the privilege of working closely with students, providing them with the support and guidance they needed to flourish academically and personally. Each day presented a new opportunity to inspire, motivate, and instill a love for learning within these impressionable souls. Whether it was assisting a struggling reader in learning new sight words, unlocking the mysteries of literature, or nurturing the curiosity of a blossoming scientist, I found comfort and fulfillment in the transformative power of education. Beyond the confines of the classroom, the basketball court became my sanctuary—a realm where discipline, teamwork, and perseverance reigned supreme. Coaching high school girls' basketball was not merely a duty but a calling—one that allowed me to impart invaluable life lessons beyond the boundaries of the game. Through victories and defeats, triumphs and setbacks, I witnessed firsthand the resilience and determination of my players, instilling in them the belief that with dedication and hard work, anything is possible. As I reflect on my journey, I am reminded of the profound influence of my mother—a loyal, reliable, and hardworking educator who dedicated 35 years of her life to shaping the minds and hearts of countless students. Her unwavering passion for teaching, coupled with her boundless compassion, served as a beacon of inspiration for me, igniting a fire within my soul to follow in her footsteps and carry on her legacy. Now, as I embark on the next chapter of my career, the prospect of becoming an educator fills me with both excitement and humility. I am eager to immerse myself in the art of teaching—to inspire, empower, and nurture the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and dreamers. Armed with a wealth of experience, a heart full of compassion, and a relentless drive to make a difference, I am prepared to embrace the challenges and triumphs that lie ahead. In this important stage of life, the threads of education have intertwined with the very essence of my being, shaping me into the person I am today. As I set forth on this new adventure, I do so with a profound sense of purpose and a deep-rooted commitment to the transformative power of education. For in the high demand of teachers lies the opportunity to not only impact individual lives but to shape the course of humanity itself—one lesson, one student, and one heart at a time.