My name is Taylor, and I was raised in a single-mother household that shaped every part of who I am today. My mother wasn’t just my parent, she was my teacher, my protector, my best friend, and my greatest inspiration. She taught me everything I needed to know about life: how to be strong in the face of adversity, how to treat others with kindness, and how to believe in myself even when the odds were stacked against me. Tragically, I lost my mom during my first year of college. That loss nearly broke me. Grieving her while trying to stay on track academically was one of the hardest things I’ve ever faced. There were days I wanted to give up, when the pain felt too heavy, and the world felt too quiet without her. But then I remembered her voice in my head, always telling me, “Keep going. You’re stronger than you think.” I hold onto those words every single day and they keep me going. I know she’s watching over me from heaven now, and I’ve made it my mission to keep making her proud. I carry her love, her strength, and her dreams with me. Her belief in me didn’t die with her, it lives on in every class I take, in every goal I set, and in the way I treat others with compassion. I’m currently pursuing a degree in psychology, with the goal of working in the field of psychology and law. I want to help people, especially those dealing with trauma, mental illness, or systemic barriers. My own experiences with loss and emotional pain have given me deep empathy and a strong desire to be part of the solution. I know how it feels to struggle, to feel unseen, to wish someone would just understand. That’s who I want to be for others, the person who understands and shows up. This scholarship would not only ease the financial burden of my education. It would help me continue the legacy my mother left behind. A legacy of love, of strength, and of rising above hardship. I am determined to turn my pain into purpose and be a force for good in this world. I know I have a long road ahead, but I’m ready to walk it, with my head held high and my heart full of everything my mother taught me. Everyday is a challenge but , I know that my mother is proud of the lady I am becoming .

Hi, My name is Taylor Murray . Pursuing a degree in the mental health field is deeply personal for me. It's not just about academics or career goals, but about healing, purpose, and giving back. My journey began during one of the hardest times in my life, my first year of college, when I lost my mother. Her passing turned my world upside down. I was young, trying to find my way in a new environment, and suddenly grieving the most important person in my life. It was during that time that I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety, two words that felt overwhelming but also helped me begin to understand what I was going through. Dealing with those diagnoses wasn’t easy. There were days when just getting out of bed felt impossible and I felt as if I had no purpose. But deciding to get therapy, support from others, and learning about mental health gave me insight. I began to realize how powerful understanding the mind can be, not only for myself but for others who are struggling in silence like I once was . That’s when I decided to major in psychology completely as I was unsure at first. I wanted to make sense of what I was feeling, but also to learn how to support others the way I had been supported. Now, as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), I work closely with children who are on the autism spectrum. Every day I see how patience, compassion, and support can make a difference in a child’s progress and confidence. It’s deeply rewarding to help a nonverbal child begin to communicate, or to witness a breakthrough in behavior that once seemed impossible. These moments remind me why I’m on this path. It reminds me that healing and growth are real, even when they’re slow. My goal is to continue my education and eventually become a licensed mental health professional. I want to work with individuals who feel lost or overwhelmed, especially young adults who may be facing grief, anxiety, depression, or trauma like I did. I understand firsthand how lonely those feelings can be, and I want to be the kind of therapist who listens without judgment, supports with empathy, and walks alongside people as they heal. Ultimately, I believe that pain doesn’t have to define us, instead it can shape us into more compassionate, resilient versions of ourselves. Losing my mom hurt in ways I still can’t fully explain or understand, but it also gave me a sense of purpose. I want to be a light for others in their darkest moments, just as others were for me. That’s why I’m pursuing this path. Not just to build a career, but to be part of the change this world needs in how we understand and care for mental health. As I continue to grow and navigate in the world, I want to help others in the best way possible.

I remember staring at the white wall in my room sophomore year, rereading the sticked-on version of “Now I lay me down to sleep” prayer with tears running down my face. School was such a weird place for me at that time. It was a place where I knew I learned academically but so much more happened. My grades reached an ultimate low. I let social influences impact my ability to succeed. Everything just came crashing down. I wanted to give up. I tried to transfer schools but the school I wanted to attend had no space. It was the lowest that I've ever been and it was painful. It was a familiar pain, one that I felt when my grandfather passed away. His dream was to see me graduate and this and faith is what kept me going. After taking time to figure out my next steps I knew I was capable of doing more. I started with the most difficult classes, Pre-AP Chemistry and AP World History. I signed myself up for office hours and I was a permanent fixture. I rewrote my notes, remastered quizzes and exit tickets. I participated more in class and really started to understand more of the content. I noticed a positive shift when my grades began to improve. I even earned perfect attendance that quarter. All it took was effort and faith. I pushed myself and I made the honor roll last quarter and ever since then I've been making the honor roll. Although this was the most difficult moment for me, I persevered and gained resilience. I also realized that I can do what I set my mind to. My actions impacted the way I felt and how I responded to my emotions. When I struggled with having someone relate to me mentally I had someone teach me coping mechanisms to communicate what I was feeling. This reflective moment also allowed me to realize that I want to help other adolescents overcome difficult situations. Seeking help when you need it the most is an empowering moment. Mental health is an emotional, psychological aspect of one's life and is often neglected. This is why I see myself being a cognitive behavioral therapist because I want to help young adolescents that have struggled with what I struggled with. I know it's often hard to communicate but having someone to talk to that can relate can help. With this I hope to improve young adults mental health.

In my senior year of high school, I confidently believed that college would be the most enjoyable four years of my life. I was eagerly looking forward to leaving home and making new friends, anticipating a more favorable environment. However, my college experience has been far from what I expected. Instead, I have been grappling with late-night tears and therapy sessions. Now, I'd like to share my story with you. On August 23, 2022, my family had planned to help me move into my new home, but tragedy struck. My mother, sister, and aunt were out doing some last-minute dorm shopping when my mother suddenly felt lightheaded and thought something was dripping on her. I rushed to her side and asked if she was okay, but she collapsed in a panic. We called 9-1-1 and waited anxiously for 30 minutes before an ambulance arrived. My sister, my aunt, and I rushed to the hospital, where the doctors informed us that my mother needed immediate life-saving surgery. I was in tears, overwhelmed with fear and anxiety. My mother, my closest companion, how could this happen? I recall hearing only that the surgery went well, while tears streamed down my face and my eyes were bloodshot red. I was convinced that my mother would recover, and so, with the help of my sister and aunt, I moved into my dorm room on the morning of the 24th. However, my studies made me extremely depressed due to my mother's hospitalization from August to November...but she was getting better, they said. Unfortunately, on November 11th, at around 4 am, my mother passed away. I let out a scream and burst into tears upon hearing the news. I felt responsible for wanting to attend school so far away, and I struggled to reconcile my desire to continue my education with the harsh reality of my mother's death. Days went by, and all I could do was cry and ask God, "Why? Why me? My mother was my only source of comfort in my 18 years of life. Eventually, her funeral was held two weeks after her passing, and I knew that she would not want me to give up. I knew that she had worked hard, and I had put in the effort to get to where I am today. I felt compelled to honor her by pursuing my education. Despite my success, I still prayed to God at night, seeking answers as to why she had been taken from me, or begging Him to allow me to see her one last time, even though I knew it would never happen again. Currently, I am in my second year and second semester, and I am doing better than ever. While I still think about her at times, I try to maintain a positive outlook. I am pursuing a master's degree in psychology to make her proud. Although they say that grief gets easier with time, it is not necessarily true; you simply become better at managing it. Grief is a complex journey that involves moments of sadness and reflection. This is my story.

Personally , I feel that there are many different ways to live a long healthy life . Any negative energy in your life should be out. In order for a healthy life there needs to be no toxicity present . Healthy has many definitions to it . To some people being healthy means to be fit or to stay on a strict vegetable and fruit diet . However, that is not the case . You need to be in a good mental health state . That’s what’s most important. Long , a time that last you almost forever but not entirely . But long enough to where you can do what you want . Long and healthy is like bold and beauty . They go hand in hand due to the similarities of the words and how good they compliment each other. Meditation is a extremely positive way to be healthy . Releasing your stress is what 1 need’s sometimes. But that’s all .