My Quaker faith shapes how I see others, and how I see myself. As a member of the Religious Society of Friends, I recognize that there is the light of God within everyone. However, my early childhood was marked by instability and abuse. I moved between caregivers and struggled to find a stable sense of home. These experiences disrupted my feelings of safety and identity. As a black and white biracial child in a predominantly white elementary school, I often struggled with belonging and felt insecure and alone. In adolescence, I experienced sexual violence that increased my depression and led me to question whether my life had value. In 1999, I began studying psychology at a community college. I wanted to understand how biological, psychological, and environmental factors impact human development. While I was learning about the human mind in class, I was struggling internally with anxiety and depression. Anxiety and depression made it difficult for me to focus in school. I mistakenly believed that my mental health struggles meant I wasn’t smart enough for higher education. After three semesters, I left college to focus on healing. For many years, I carried the shame of dropping out of college. Through therapy, spiritual practice, and community, I began to understand that what happened to me as a young person did not define me. My faith helped me reclaim my voice, my body, and my belief in my self worth. When I began attending Quaker Meeting for Worship in Brooklyn, I encountered a form of Christianity rooted in silence and direct experience of God. Sitting in silent worship, I learned to distinguish between the negative inner voice of fear and the steady voice of the Holy Spirit. With time, I transformed my mental health challenges into tools for growth and self discovery. I became a certified holistic health coach, registered yoga teacher, and mindfulness instructor. I share this work as a K-12 yoga and mindfulness teacher in New York and New Jersey public schools. Many of my students have been impacted by trauma, poverty, and systemic injustice. My faith supports me in creating peaceful, inclusive classrooms where students feel seen, safe, and affirmed. I returned to college in my forties to complete my bachelor’s degree in psychology. Without the burden of anxiety and depression I rediscovered my love of learning! I graduated summa cum laude in 2025. I am currently pursuing my Master of Education in K-12 school counseling at SUNY Oneonta. As a school counselor I want to provide the kind of mental health support and caring guidance that I once needed. I want children to know their value and understand that their struggles do not define them. In addition to my academic pursuits I serve on the Community Dinner Committee and Welcoming Committee at my church. At Community Dinner I serve hot meals to my Brooklyn neighbors experiencing food insecurity. As a member of the Welcoming Committee I help attenders feel included and celebrated. I also volunteer at a local food pantry distributing nutritious produce and nonperishable foods. In each of these roles, I try to approach my neighbors with integrity, friendliness and care. My faith supported me in overcoming the mental health challenges that resulted from childhood trauma. It gives me the calm confidence to carry on despite ongoing struggles. Like Nabi, my ambition is to uplift and counsel young people and strengthen my community. With the support of the Nabi Nicole Grant Memorial Scholarship I will continue my personal goal of growing and thriving academically, as well as my professional goal of empowering and uplifting children and adolescents.

My healing journey from mental illness to mental wellness gave me the courage to return to college in my forties. As a biracial second grader in a predominantly white elementary school, I struggled to fit in. My unruly curls and brown skin stood out among my classmates’ tame manes and rosy complexions. Teasing, intrusive questions, and childhood trauma left me feeling insecure and alone. I internalized the belief that I was not enough, and over time that belief eroded my confidence and my mental health. A decade later, in 1999, I began studying psychology at a community college. I wanted to understand how biological, psychological, and environmental factors impacted human development. While I was learning about the human mind in class, I was struggling internally with anxiety and depression. Anxiety and depression made it difficult for me to show up and focus in school. I mistakenly believed that my mental health struggles meant I wasn’t smart enough for higher education. After three semesters, I left college to focus on healing. For many years, I carried the shame of dropping out of college. Through psychotherapy, daily meditation, and yoga I transformed my struggles into tools for growth and self discovery. I became a certified holistic health coach, registered yoga teacher, and mindfulness instructor. Since 2014, I've taught yoga and mindfulness to kindergarten through high school students in New York and New Jersey public schools. Many of my students have been impacted by trauma, poverty, and systemic injustice. For over a decade, I’ve created peaceful and inclusive classrooms where students feel seen, safe, and affirmed. Although my work has been rewarding, I see the growing need for structured mental health support in schools. Many of my students carry anxiety, trauma, and challenges that mindfulness alone can not address. I feel called toward a career in school counseling. I consider myself a non-traditional student because I returned to college in my forties, to complete my undergraduate degree in psychology. What gave me the courage to go back was the realization that the negative voice telling me I wasn’t capable was not the truth. I am no longer the anxious nineteen-year-old who doubted her worth. I have done the work to heal. I am a woman with life experience, discipline, and a commitment to service. Returning to school without the weight of anxiety and depression has been transformative. I rediscovered that I love learning! I completed my BA in Psychology at SUNY Empire, graduating summa cum laude. Thriving academically after a twenty year hiatus is proof that mental health struggles do not equate to a lack of intelligence. I am currently pursuing my Master’s of Education in K-12 school counseling. As a school counselor I want to provide the kind of mental health support I once needed. I want children to know that their struggles do not define them. My goal is to become a school counselor and integrate counseling with mindfulness, meditation, nutrition, time in nature, yoga and fitness. Like Ella’s, my story is one of resilience and reinvention. The courage to return to school grew slowly, through therapy sessions, quiet mornings on my meditation cushion and classrooms full of children who reminded me why this work matters. I plan to maintain my mental wellness by prioritizing self care. Although I live in New York City, I regularly spend time in nature, meditate daily and serve my community by volunteering at a local food pantry. The Ella’s Gift scholarship will support me in my personal goal of continuing to grow and thrive academically, as well as my professional goal of empowering and uplifting children and adolescents.

My own healing journey gave me the courage to go back to school. As a biracial second grader in a predominantly white elementary school, I struggled to fit in. My unruly curls and brown skin stood out among my classmates’ tame manes and rosy complexions. Teasing, intrusive questions, and childhood trauma left me feeling insecure and alone. I internalized the belief that I was not enough, and over time that belief eroded my confidence and my mental health. A decade later, in 1999, I began studying psychology at community college. I wanted to understand how biological, psychological, and environmental factors impacted human development. While I was learning about the human mind in class, I was struggling with my own anxiety and depression. Anxiety and depression made it difficult for me to focus in school. I mistakenly believed that my internal struggles meant I wasn’t smart enough for higher education. After three semesters, I left college to focus on healing. For many years, I carried the quiet shame of dropping out of college. Through psychotherapy, daily meditation, and yoga I transformed my struggles into tools for growth. I became a certified holistic health coach, registered yoga teacher, and mindfulness instructor. Since 2014, I've taught yoga and mindfulness to kindergarten through high school students in New York and New Jersey public schools. Many of my students have been impacted by trauma, poverty, and systemic injustice. For over a decade, I’ve created peaceful and inclusive classrooms where students feel seen, safe, and affirmed, regardless of their race, gender, or socioeconomic status. Although my work has been rewarding, I see the growing need for structured mental health support in schools. Many of my students carry anxiety, trauma, and challenges that mindfulness alone can not address. I decided to make a career change. I consider myself a non-traditional student because I returned to college in 2023, in my forties, to complete my undergraduate degree in psychology after a twenty-year hiatus. The realization that the negative inner voice telling me I wasn’t capable of succeeding was not the truth, prompted me to go back. I am no longer an anxious nineteen-year-old doubting her self worth. I have done the work to heal. I am a confident woman with life experience, discipline, and a commitment to service. Returning to school without the weight of anxiety and depression has been transformative. I rediscovered that I love learning! I completed my BA in Psychology at SUNY Empire, graduating summa cum laude. Thriving academically in my forties is proof that mental health struggles do not equate to a lack of intelligence. I am currently pursuing my Master’s of Education in K-12 School Counseling. As a school counselor I want to provide the kind of mental health support I once needed. I want children to know that their struggles do not define them. My goal is to become a school counselor and integrate counseling with mindfulness, meditation, nutrition, time in nature, yoga and fitness. The courage to return to school grew slowly, through therapy sessions, quiet mornings on my meditation cushion and classrooms full of children who reminded me why this work matters. The Susie Green Scholarship for Women Pursuing Education will support me in my personal goal of continuing to grow and thrive academically, as well as my professional goal of empowering and uplifting children and adolescents.

My experience with mental health challenges, specifically generalized anxiety disorder, has shaped the way I show up in the world as well as my career aspirations. I am pursuing a career in school counseling because I want to empower and uplift children and adolescents. Joy is my superpower! I want to help young people discover what is great about themselves. I believe schools are an important place to identify mental health needs early, reduce stigma, and create environments of safety and celebration. My long-term goal is to work as an elementary school counselor, supporting students’ academic success, emotional well-being, and social development. For the past ten years, I’ve taught yoga and mindfulness to K-12 students in New York and New Jersey public schools. That work has profoundly influenced my understanding of mental health. I’ve seen how deeply connected mental well-being is to the body, environment, and daily habits. Anxiety, emotional dysregulation, and difficulty focusing are often responses to stress, trauma, or unmet needs. When a student struggles, I ask: Are they getting enough food, rest, movement, or time outdoors? Are they experiencing stress, bias, or systemic barriers within the school community? I believe that mental health should be approached in this holistic and contextual way. I’m interested in bringing an integrative approach to counseling that connects mental health with movement, nutrition, mindfulness, nature, and social-emotional learning. My commitment to this work is also personal. Growing up as a black and white biracial child I experienced microaggressions, taunts and a general sense of being marginalized or unseen. I also experienced childhood trauma that affected my sense of belonging and self-worth. Without adequate support, I internalized feelings of unworthiness that later impacted my mental health. In my late teens and early twenties, I struggled with anxiety and depression which made it difficult for me to focus in school. I left college after three semesters to focus on healing. Through psychotherapy, meditation, and yoga, I developed life skills that transformed my relationship with myself. My healing journey strengthened my resilience, increased my peace of mind and clarified my purpose. It led me to become a certified holistic health coach, registered yoga teacher, mindfulness instructor, and Reiki practitioner. After a twenty-year hiatus, I returned to higher education in 2023 with clarity and confidence. I earned my bachelor’s degree graduating summa cum laude with a 4.0 GPA. I recently began my graduate school journey. My experiences with mental health have taught me that healing can reopen doors that once felt permanently closed. Beyond academics, I am committed to service, advocacy, and wellness. I am a certified Mental Health First Aider, volunteer weekly at a local food pantry in Brooklyn, and provide volunteer tech support for a community-based meditation organization. I believe that caring for my own well-being is essential. I prioritize my own mental health through daily meditation, regular yoga practice, annual silent retreats, and engagement in my faith community. Through my mental health career, I plan to make a positive impact by helping students recognize their strengths, nurture their joy, and access support before they reach a point of crisis. I want to normalize conversations about feelings, teach practical coping skills, and advocate for equitable systems within schools. I want all children, especially those who feel unseen or marginalized, to know that they matter. The Autumn Davis Memorial Scholarship will support me in achieving my academic and career goals!

Returning to higher education in my forties has been a meaningful and affirming decision. I did not follow a traditional academic path. However, my winding path has allowed me to stretch, grow and heal. I am pursuing a career in school counseling because I want to empower and uplift children and adolescents. I want to help young people know what is great about themselves and within themselves. I believe schools are powerful places to identify mental health needs early, reduce stigma, and create environments where children feel safe, seen, and celebrated. My long-term goal is to work as an elementary school counselor, supporting students’ academic success, emotional well-being and social development. My commitment to this work is deeply personal. As a Black and white biracial child raised in predominantly white schools and neighborhoods, I often struggled with belonging. I experienced teasing and microaggressions that left me feeling invisible and “othered.” Unfortunately, I did not have a trusted adult to confide in. I needed someone to affirm and value my experiences and identity. Instead I internalized these challenges, which impacted my self-worth and contributed to anxiety and depression. I graduated high school in 1999 and began studying psychology in community college at age 18. I was eager to understand the inner workings of the human mind. However, unresolved childhood trauma and the resulting anxiety made it difficult to focus. Over time, I began to believe I wasn’t smart enough to succeed academically. After three semesters, I made the difficult decision to leave college and focus on healing. Through psychotherapy, daily meditation, yoga, and nutrition, I developed tools that healed my relationship with myself. What began as personal transformation became my calling, my life's work. I became a certified holistic health coach, registered yoga teacher, mindfulness instructor, and Reiki practitioner. For the past twelve years, I have taught yoga and mindfulness to K-12 students in New York and New Jersey public schools. I've witnessed nervous systems calm and true connections take place as young people gain greater awareness of their internal experiences. My inner work, academic studies and work in schools have shown me the connection between mental wellness and our environments, daily habits, and larger systemic factors. These insights shaped my desire to become a school counselor and to bring a holistic approach to student support. One that integrates mental health with movement, mindfulness, nature, nutrition, and social-emotional learning. I returned to higher education in 2023 after a 20 year hiatus. I earned my associate degree with academic honors from Borough of Manhattan Community College. At age 43 I completed my bachelor’s degree in Psychology at SUNY Empire State University, graduating summa cum laude with a 4.0 GPA. In December 2025, I completed my first semester in the Master of Social Work program at Rutgers University with a 3.83 GPA. Service and wellness are the foundation of my life. My passion for nutrition informs my volunteerism. I volunteer at a local food pantry in Brooklyn, distributing food to over 100 families each week. As a Quaker, I'm a member of the Community Dinner Committee where I donate my time cooking and serving a monthly meal to our unhoused neighbors. I prioritize my mental health through daily meditation, regular yoga practice, annual silent retreats, and time in nature. These practices keep me grounded and well resourced. This scholarship will help ease the financial strain of graduate school and allow me to focus on service, studies, and wellness. I'm excited to continue showing up, with joy, mindfulness, and a commitment to justice and healing, for the students and communities I serve.

I am pursuing a career in school counseling because I want to empower and uplift children and adolescents. Joy is my superpower, and I want to help young people know what is great about themselves. Especially students who may not hear that message often enough. I believe schools are powerful places to identify mental health needs early, reduce stigma, and create supportive environments where children feel safe, seen, and celebrated. My goal is to work as an elementary school counselor, supporting students’ well-being academically, emotionally, and socially. For the past ten years, I’ve taught yoga and mindfulness to K-12 students in New York and New Jersey public schools. This work has shown me how deeply connected mental health is to the body, environment, and daily habits. I have seen how anxiety, emotional dysregulation, and difficulty focusing are often protective responses to stress, trauma, or unmet needs. When a student struggles, I am curious about the larger picture: Are they getting enough food, rest, movement, or time outdoors? Are they experiencing family stress, cultural bias, or systemic barriers? These experiences inspired my interest in school counseling. My desire is to introduce a holistic approach to counseling that connects mental health with movement, nutrition, mindfulness, nature, and social-emotional learning. My commitment to this work is personal. Growing up half black, half white biracial in predominantly white schools, I often felt invisible or “othered.” I was frequently the only Black student in my classrooms and experienced microaggressions that affected my sense of belonging and self-worth. Without adequate support, I internalized feelings of unworthiness which later impacted my mental health. These early experiences fuel my passion for helping children feel affirmed, valued, and proud of who they are. In my late teens and early twenties, unresolved childhood trauma contributed to my struggles with anxiety and depression. After finishing high school in 1999, I began studying psychology at a community college. I wanted to understand the mind and how trauma impacts human development. Unfortunately, unmanaged mental health challenges made it difficult to focus and believe in myself. After completing 3 semesters, I left college to focus on healing. What initially felt like failure became a turning point. Through psychotherapy, meditation, and yoga, I developed life skills that transformed my relationship with myself and learning. This journey led me to become a certified holistic health coach, registered yoga teacher, mindfulness instructor, and Reiki practitioner. I wanted to share my journey with others. After a twenty-year hiatus, I returned to higher education in 2023 with clarity and confidence, no longer burdened by anxiety and self-doubt. I earned my associate degree with academic honors from Borough of Manhattan Community College. Next, I completed my bachelor’s degree in Psychology at SUNY Empire State University, graduating summa cum laude in Spring 2025 with a 4.0 GPA. I recently completed my first semester in the Master of Social Work program at Rutgers University with a 3.8 GPA. I am now pursuing the School Counselor program at SUNY Oneonta. Beyond the classroom, I am a certified Mental Health First Aider, I volunteer weekly at a Brooklyn food pantry, and I support a community-based meditation organization. I also prioritize my own mental health through daily meditation, regular yoga practice, annual silent retreats, and involvement with my faith-based community. The Ethan To Scholarship resonates with my journey. I’ve seen how access to compassionate, holistic mental health care can change lives. As a future school counselor, I hope to help students recognize their strengths, nurture their joy, and thrive.

As a biracial child attending an elementary school in a predominantly white neighborhood, I learned what it feels like to not belong. My brown skin and tightly curly hair stood out among my peers who teased me and asked intrusive questions. Those early experiences planted the seeds for the work I do now. I create spaces where young people from marginalized communities feel seen, valued, and emotionally supported. My interest in mental health began as a young adult during my own struggles with anxiety and depression. When I first attended community college in 1999, I was interested in psychology but lacked the mental health supports I needed to succeed. I eventually left school to focus on healing. Through psychotherapy, yoga, meditation, and mindfulness, I learned tools to regulate my emotions, build confidence, and find peace. These practices became the foundation of my personal and professional life. For the past decade, I have taught yoga and mindfulness to students from kindergarten through high school in New York and New Jersey public schools. Many of my students are from marginalized communities where stress, racialized experiences, and instability are part of daily life. I’ve seen students carry emotional burdens that are far beyond what most adults realize. I’ve also seen how mindfulness, emotional regulation skills, and a compassionate presence can help students feel grounded and empowered. I believe that mental wellness is a fundamental right and that all children deserve access to the tools to navigate their inner worlds, regardless of race, class or other barriers. These experiences have shaped my activism as well. I volunteer at a community-based food pantry, supporting local families experiencing food insecurity. My activism is grounded in the belief that equity begins with meeting people where they are and offering allyship. I returned to school to complete my BA in Psychology at SUNY Empire State University, graduating with a 4.0 GPA. I began my MSW coursework at Rutgers School of Social Work in Sept 2025. While I’ve always wanted to work directly within school systems and my passion lies in school counseling. I want to be part of a school community helping students navigate identity, family challenges, social pressures, trauma, and academic demands. My career aspiration is to work as a NYC DOE school counselor serving diverse student populations. I want to integrate evidence-based counseling skills with mindfulness and social-emotional learning. I want to help students build resilience, self-awareness, and confidence. I am committed to creating environments where students from marginalized communities have access to crisis support as well as emotional care and guidance. As a school counselor, I hope to be the adult I needed as a child. Someone who listens deeply, honors identity, supports emotional growth, and creates safe spaces for students to be themselves. My lived experiences, my activism, and my professional work have prepared me to make a meaningful impact within marginalized communities. I am hopeful that the Arnetha V Bishop Memorial Scholarship will help support me in my academic and professional endeavors.

I began practicing yoga and mindfulness over 20 years ago during a period of deep personal struggle. While I was studying psychology as an undergrad, I was also dealing with anxiety and depression. My mind was very busy and it was hard to focus. I often felt overwhelmed and unsure if I belonged in college. I thought my difficulties meant I wasn’t smart enough to be there. That belief led me to take a break from college to focus on healing. It was during that time that I took my first yoga class at a local yoga studio. The instructor’s guidance to synchronize the yoga poses with my breath felt like a moving meditation. I left each class with a calm and quiet mind and a body that felt stronger and more at ease. It was a turning point in my life. Over time, therapy, daily mindfulness practice, and yoga helped me feel grounded and whole again. I often wonder how different my childhood might have been if I had access to those tools earlier. As someone from a low-income background, I understand how much stress young people carry into the classroom. Unfortunately feelings of disconnection and overwhelm may remain unseen and impact children's mental health and ability to learn. My journey toward healing and self awareness inspired a deeper purpose. My purpose became sharing these tools with young people, especially those navigating challenges like the ones I faced. That’s what led me to become a certified holistic health coach, registered yoga teacher, and mindfulness instructor. For the past 11 years I’ve taught yoga and mindfulness to children in New York and New Jersey public schools. Every class starts with a mindfulness practice to help calm and ground the students as well as myself. I never skip my morning mindfulness or my morning coffee. They fill my cup in different ways! Mindfulness helps me regulate my nervous system so I can attune to what’s happening with the children in front of me. Sometimes the most impactful thing I can do for a child is to be present. One day in a first-grade class, we had just finished our mindfulness practice when I noticed “Gloria”. She’s a student who worked with the school counselor to manage big emotions. She was quietly squeezing imaginary lemons- a tense and release mindfulness technique. Her face looked like she had just tasted a real lemon, and I could tell tears were on their way. But I was calm. I walked over and softly asked, “Heyyy, what do you need? I see you.” She looked up and said, “I think I need a hug.” So I tucked her under my arm and kept teaching while she cried into my side. She stayed there for several minutes, until her body softened and her breath slowed. Then she quietly returned to her spot. If I had been dysregulated or distracted, that moment could have gone very differently. Moments like that one remind me of why I chose to pursue a Master of Social Work at Rutgers. My goal is to become a school-based therapist or school psychologist. I want all students, especially those dealing with trauma and anxiety, to have access to mental health support. I also want to bring in research backed holistic tools like mindfulness and yoga. I want to be the kind of adult I needed when I was younger. Someone calm, present, and willing to sit with a child’s pain. I believe schools should be places where everyone feels seen, supported, and valued. That starts with how I show up. My work over the past decade, and my decision to go to grad school, are rooted in that belief. Like Sierra, I believe in the power of kindness and presence. That belief continues to guide the work I do now and the work I hope to do in the future.

My passion for mental health is rooted in my personal experiences. As a black-biracial child growing up in a predominantly white neighborhood, I felt like I didn’t belong. I was often teased and singled out. At the same time, I navigated childhood wounds, anxiety and depression. These early struggles led to my curiosity about human behavior and the impacts of trauma. I began studying psychology in community college at 18. I was a bright student, however my mental health challenges made it difficult to stay focused. I began to question my academic abilities, eventually leaving school to prioritize healing. Through psychotherapy, daily meditation, and yoga, I discovered skills that helped me learn to love and accept myself. The mental health difficulties I experienced became the foundation for my future. I became a yoga teacher, certified holistic health coach and mindfulness instructor. I have spent the past decade bringing wellness practices into schools. Since 2014, I’ve taught yoga and mindfulness in New York and New Jersey public schools. My goal has always been to create peaceful, inclusive spaces where all children, regardless of race, income, or ability, feel empowered in their bodies and minds. I’ve worked in under-resourced and affluent districts advocating for trauma-informed approaches. Over the years I’ve realized that mindfulness alone is not enough. Many of the students I work with are coping with anxiety, grief, and trauma that require deeper clinical support. This realization led me back to school after a 20-year hiatus. I recently completed my bachelor’s degree in psychology at SUNY Empire with a 4.0 GPA. While at SUNY I served as a Mental Health First Aider and student health advocate. I currently volunteer at a local food pantry and a meditation center. My volunteerism highlights my belief that healing and justice are interconnected. I’m pursuing my Master of Social Work at Rutgers University with the goal of becoming a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in school-based mental health. I want to help create systems that serve children's minds, bodies, and spirits. All students, including those from under resourced communities, deserve access to quality mental health care. I want to help change the systems that fail too many students. As a social worker, I’ll advocate for mental health programs that reflect the life experiences of the children and families they serve. I also hope to support future practitioners of color and bring mindfulness and social emotional learning programs into schools and therapy spaces. I plan to contribute to research and care that is culturally responsive and equity-driven. I carry a deep understanding of what exclusion feels like and how powerful being welcomed and included can be. The JoyBridge Mental Health and Inclusion Scholarship would allow me to pursue graduate study with greater stability and strengthen my ability to serve diverse communities with compassion, skill, and cultural awareness.