Growing up, there were many moments when it would have been easy to believe that my circumstances defined my future. I became a mother at fifteen years old. At eighteen, while I was still a senior in high school, I became pregnant with my daughter, who tragically passed away before her third birthday. I grew up with my father in prison, faced financial hardship, and often questioned whether I was capable of accomplishing the dreams God had placed in my heart. Yet throughout every season, God continued to place people in my life who reminded me that my story was not over. One of those people was a mentor who refused to let me see myself as a statistic. Instead of focusing on my past, she saw my potential. She encouraged me to continue my education, pursue meaningful work, and trust that God could use even my greatest pain for His purpose. Her belief in me helped me believe in myself when I struggled to do so. That encouragement changed the direction of my life. I completed my medical assistant training and spent seven years caring for patients before realizing that God was calling me somewhere different. I stepped into education, where I have now spent seven years serving students, including those with disabilities and behavioral needs. Every child I meet reminds me why someone believing in you can change everything. Today, I am earning my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education while maintaining a 3.88 GPA. My long-term goal is to earn a doctorate in education, become a college professor, and help develop curriculum that reaches students who are too often overlooked. None of these goals would have seemed possible years ago, but they are evidence of what can happen when faith is stronger than fear and when someone chooses to invest in another person’s future. Perhaps the greatest reminder of God’s purpose came through my son, Elijah. What began as a relationship between a student and an educator became something much deeper through adoption. Loving him taught me that every child deserves someone who sees beyond behavior, grades, or circumstances and recognizes the incredible potential God placed within them. That experience forever changed how I view education. Students are not problems to solve; they are lives to nurture. As an educator, I want every child who enters my classroom to know they matter. I want the student who struggles academically, the child living through trauma, the one with a disability, or the student who feels invisible to know they are seen, valued, and capable of greatness. I believe learning begins with relationships, trust, and hope. When students know someone believes in them, they begin believing in themselves. My faith has taught me that every person is created intentionally and has a purpose. I cannot erase the hardships my students may face, but I can be the teacher who encourages them to keep going, celebrates their victories, and reminds them that their circumstances do not determine their future. The people who believed in me transformed my life. Receiving the Sheila Chau Memorial Scholarship would not only help me continue my education despite financial challenges, but it would also allow me to continue the legacy of believing in others. Just as someone once helped me recognize my God-given potential, I hope to spend the rest of my career helping my students discover theirs.

Being a first-generation college student means becoming the example I needed when I was younger. It means entering spaces my family did not always have access to and showing my children that our circumstances do not have to determine our future. For me, earning a degree is not only a personal achievement. It is a way to change the direction of my family and create opportunities that can continue for generations. My journey has not been easy. I became a mother at fifteen and learned responsibility while I was still growing up myself. At eighteen, I became pregnant with my daughter, who passed away before her third birthday. I also grew up with my father incarcerated, and I had to learn how to move forward without many of the supports other students may take for granted. Instead of allowing those experiences to stop me, I used them to build resilience, compassion, and determination. I completed a medical assistant program and worked for seven years in medical assisting, wound care, and lymphatic therapy. Later, I found my true calling in education. For the past several years, I have worked with students in special education and general education settings. I am now pursuing my bachelor’s degree in elementary education while working full time and caring for my children as a single mother. I currently hold a 3.88 GPA and belong to two honor societies, but behind those accomplishments are late nights, financial sacrifices, and many moments when quitting would have been easier. What drives me is my children and the students who often fall through the cracks. My long-term goal is to earn a doctorate in education, become a college professor, and help create curriculum that better supports students who feel unseen or underestimated. I want to be an educational advocate who creates safe spaces where students feel heard, valued, and capable of reaching their goals. This scholarship would help reduce the financial pressure of tuition, books, and other educational expenses. More importantly, it would allow me to continue my degree with greater stability and focus. Receiving this support would remind me that my hard work, my story, and my purpose matter. I am determined to finish what I started and use my education to open doors not only for myself, but also for my children and every student I am called to serve.

My long-term goal is to become a college professor and earn a doctorate in education. I want to use my experience to prepare future educators, influence educational practices, and help create curriculum for students who are too often overlooked. I am especially passionate about supporting children who fall through the cracks because of learning differences, behavioral needs, family circumstances, language barriers, or limited resources. I believe every student deserves an advocate who sees their potential and refuses to let them be defined by a test score, diagnosis, or difficult moment. The first step in reaching this goal is earning my bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Although a doctorate and college-level teaching may seem far away, I understand that meaningful goals are achieved one step at a time. I am building my foundation through coursework, field experiences, and years of service in education. I have worked in both special education and general education settings, which has shown me how strongly school systems can affect a child’s confidence, progress, and future. These experiences continue to shape the educator and advocate I am becoming. After completing my bachelor’s degree, I plan to earn my Texas teaching certification and work as an elementary classroom teacher. My classroom will be a safe place where students feel seen, heard, respected, and valued. I want students to know that they do not have to hide who they are in order to belong. I will provide structure, encouragement, high expectations, and individualized support while helping them reach their academic and personal goals. I also plan to work closely with families, counselors, special education teams, and community resources so students receive support from all angles. My next step will be earning a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. During that stage, I want to study how curriculum can be adapted to better serve diverse learners. I hope to participate in curriculum-writing teams and professional development projects that help teachers identify struggling students before they become discouraged or disconnected from school. Eventually, I will pursue a doctorate in education and teach future educators at the college level. As a professor, I want to prepare teachers to look beyond behavior, understand the whole child, and create classrooms where every student has a genuine opportunity to succeed. My timeline includes completing my bachelor’s degree, certification requirements, and student teaching first. I will then spend several years gaining classroom experience before beginning graduate school. My estimated short-term budget includes tuition, books, technology, transportation, certification testing, fingerprinting, application fees, and classroom materials. I expect these costs to total approximately $1,500 to $2,000 beyond tuition during the next year. I will use scholarships, financial aid, careful budgeting, university resources, and continued employment to meet these expenses. I will also apply for grants and employer-supported tuition assistance as I move into graduate studies. Time is another important resource. As a working mother and student, I must plan carefully. I will use a weekly schedule, break major assignments into smaller tasks, and reserve evenings and weekend hours for studying. I will also use academic advising, tutoring, writing support, mentorship, and professional networks to remain accountable and prepared. I know unexpected challenges may affect my timeline, but they will not change my destination. If I need additional time, financial support, or academic assistance, I will adjust my plan and keep moving forward. This scholarship would help me complete the first stage of a much larger purpose: becoming an educational advocate, curriculum writer, and college professor who helps transform education for students who deserve to be seen, supported, and given every opportunity to thrive

Going to college means more to me than earning a degree. It represents perseverance, purpose, and the promise that my story is still being written. I became a mother at a young age, and from that moment, my life required responsibility, sacrifice, and strength. I had to grow up quickly and make decisions not only for myself, but for my children. There were seasons when college felt far away, but the desire to build a better future never left me. For me, college means proving to myself and my children that it is never too late to keep going. It means showing them that obstacles do not have to define the rest of your life. I want my children to see me studying, working hard, turning in assignments, and refusing to give up even when I am tired. I want them to know that dreams require discipline, but they are still possible. As a single mother, I carry many responsibilities, but college has helped me remember that I am also allowed to grow, learn, and pursue the calling God placed in my heart. My goal is to become an elementary teacher. I have spent years working with students as a paraprofessional, including students in special education, behavioral support, and general education settings. Those experiences changed me. They helped me understand that every child needs someone who sees their potential, even on difficult days. I have worked with students who needed patience, structure, encouragement, and someone willing to believe in them. That is the kind of teacher I want to become. College is helping me turn my experience into preparation. It is teaching me how to design lessons, support different learning needs, understand child development, and create a classroom where students feel safe, respected, and excited to learn. I do not want to be a teacher who only teaches from a textbook. I want to be a teacher who builds relationships, notices when a child is struggling, celebrates small victories, and reminds students that they are capable. I want my classroom to be a place where students feel loved, valued, and challenged to do their best. What I am trying to accomplish is bigger than a career change. I am working to create stability for my family, break generational barriers, and serve my community through education. I want to earn my degree, become certified, and continue growing as an educator. I want to use what I have lived through to connect with families and students who may also be facing hard circumstances. I know what it feels like to keep moving forward while carrying grief, pressure, and responsibility. Because of that, I believe I can bring compassion and understanding into the classroom. This scholarship would help ease the financial burden of college and allow me to stay focused on my education, my children, and my future students. Balancing school, work, motherhood, and life is not easy, but I am committed. Every class I complete brings me closer to the teacher I am becoming. Every assignment, late night, and challenge is part of a larger purpose. Going to college means hope. It means healing parts of my story by using them to help others. It means showing my children that their mother did not quit. It means becoming the educator I once needed and the teacher my future students deserve. I am trying to accomplish a life of purpose, service, and impact, and college is helping me get there one step at a time.

Most books have a deeper meaning than the surface details around them. A story may pull us in with adventure, fantasy, romance, mystery, or beautiful settings, but the lesson that stays with us is usually something deeper. Books have taught me to slow down, look past the obvious, and pay attention to what the author is really showing me about life, people, choices, pain, love, and courage. One book series that shaped the way I think is Harry Potter. The wizarding world is magical, exciting, and full of imagination, but the real heart of the story is not just spells, castles, or flying broomsticks. At its core, Harry Potter is about sacrifice, friendship, love, and standing up against evil even when it is scary. Harry survived because of the love and sacrifice of his mother. He kept going because of the loyalty of his friends. He faced impossible situations because he believed that doing what was right mattered more than doing what was easy. That lesson has stayed with me because life also requires courage. We do not always get to choose the battles we face, but we can choose the kind of person we become while facing them. Books have also taught me empathy. When I read, I am able to step into someone else’s life and see the world through their eyes. That matters to me because I want to become a teacher. I know that every student will walk into my classroom carrying their own story. Some students may be confident and eager to learn, while others may be quiet, hurt, frustrated, or unsure of themselves. Reading has reminded me that people are more than what they show on the outside. A character may seem difficult at first, but once we understand their background, their fears, or their pain, we see them differently. I want to carry that same understanding into my classroom. As a future educator, books have shaped my goal to create a classroom where students feel safe, valued, and inspired to learn. I do not want reading to feel like just another assignment. I want my students to discover that books can help them understand themselves and the world around them. A good book can teach a child that they are brave, that they are not alone, and that their story matters. I want to help students find books that speak to them, especially students who may not see themselves as readers yet. My own life has also helped me connect with the deeper meanings in books. I understand that strength is often built through hard seasons. I understand sacrifice, responsibility, and the importance of love and support. Books have encouraged me to keep going, even when life feels overwhelming. They remind me that growth does not always happen in easy chapters. Sometimes the most important parts of a story happen when the character is struggling, learning, and deciding not to give up. The books I have read have shaped my goals by helping me become more thoughtful, compassionate, and determined. They have taught me to look for meaning, to value people’s stories, and to believe in the power of hope. As I continue my education and work toward becoming a teacher, I want to pass that love of reading on to my students. I want them to know that books are not just words on a page. They are lessons, mirrors, windows, and sometimes even lifelines. Reading has helped shape who I am, and I hope to use that gift to help shape and encourage the students I will one day teach.

Coming from a single parent household and becoming a single parent myself has shaped my educational journey in a very personal way. Growing up, my mother carried so much responsibility on her own while my father was in prison. Watching her keep going, even when life was hard, taught me strength, sacrifice, and perseverance. I learned early that life does not always go as planned, but that does not mean your dreams have to stop. I became a mother at a young age, and that changed the way I looked at education and my future. I had to grow up quickly and learn how to make choices not only for myself, but also for my child. There were times when school, work, motherhood, and personal challenges felt overwhelming, but my children have always been my reason to keep pushing forward. Being a mother has taught me patience, responsibility, and determination. It has also taught me that success is not always a straight path. Sometimes it is built through hard seasons, late nights, sacrifice, and faith. My educational journey has been shaped by my desire to create a better future for my family and to become an example for my children. I want them to see that even when life is difficult, you can still rise, learn, grow, and accomplish your goals. I have worked full time while continuing my education because I believe this degree is not only for me. It is also for my children, my students, and the community I hope to serve. I have worked in education for several years as a paraprofessional in special education and general education settings. This work has shown me how important it is for children to have adults who believe in them. Many students come to school carrying struggles that others may never see. Some students need extra academic support, some need emotional support, and some simply need to feel safe and understood. Because of my own life experiences, I connect deeply with students who may feel overlooked, misunderstood, or unsure of themselves. In the future, I plan to give back to my community by becoming an elementary teacher who creates a classroom filled with safety, encouragement, structure, and love. I want my students to know that their circumstances do not define their future. I want them to feel confident enough to try, make mistakes, ask questions, and keep going. I also want to support families by being a teacher who listens, communicates, and partners with them. Beyond the classroom, I hope to continue serving children and families through mentoring, volunteering, and community programs. I want to encourage young parents, single parents, and students who may feel like their dreams are too far away. My story is proof that challenges can shape you, but they do not have to stop you. This scholarship would help me continue my education and move closer to becoming the teacher I am called to be. My goal is to use my journey to encourage others, give back with compassion, and help children believe that they are capable of more than they imagine

I want to pursue a career connected to the nonprofit sector because I have always believed that serving others is one of the most meaningful ways to make a difference. My life, my work, and my personal experiences have shown me how much people need support, encouragement, and someone who truly cares. I am pursuing a career in education, and I see teaching as more than a job. To me, it is a career of service, advocacy, and community impact. I have worked in education for several years as a paraprofessional in both special education and general education settings. I have supported students in behavioral self-contained classrooms, Access classrooms, and general education classrooms. These experiences have opened my eyes to how many children need more than academic instruction. Many students need patience, understanding, structure, love, and a safe place where they feel accepted. I have worked with students who struggle with behavior, communication, confidence, and learning challenges. Through that work, I have learned that when a child feels safe and supported, they are more willing to learn and grow. The communities and causes I care about most are children, families, students with disabilities, and students who may feel overlooked or misunderstood. I know what it feels like to face challenges and still have to keep going. As a mother, student, and full-time worker, I have had to push through difficult seasons while still showing up for my children and my students. Those experiences have made me more compassionate and more determined to help others. I also have a heart for service because of my faith and my background in volunteering. I have served as a youth leader and volunteered in my church, and I currently volunteer as a team mom for my son’s youth football team. These roles have taught me that community work matters. Sometimes a child just needs one adult to believe in them. Sometimes a family just needs encouragement, resources, or a safe space. I want my career to be part of that kind of positive change. Through my future work, I hope to create a positive impact by becoming a teacher who not only educates students but also advocates for them. I want to build a classroom where students feel loved, respected, and capable. I want students to know that their background, struggles, and differences do not limit their future. I also hope to continue working with community programs that support children and families, especially those who need extra help with education, emotional support, and basic resources. In the future, I would love to be involved in programs that mentor young people, support students with special needs, and help families connect with resources. I want my work to remind children that they matter and that they have a purpose. Whether I am teaching in a classroom, volunteering in my community, or supporting a nonprofit cause, my goal will always be to serve with compassion, patience, and love. This scholarship would help me continue my education and prepare for a career where I can make a lasting difference. I believe that helping one child can impact a family, a classroom, and eventually a whole community. That is the kind of work I want to do.

My life has been shaped by resilience, compassion, and a deep desire to serve others. I became a mother at just 15 years old, and by 18, while finishing my senior year of high school, I was pregnant with my daughter. After completing a medical assistant program, I began my career in healthcare, but my life changed forever when my daughter passed away just before her fourth birthday. That loss could have defined my future, but instead it strengthened my purpose. It taught me the value of perseverance, empathy, and meeting people where they are. Today, I am a full-time paraprofessional with Klein ISD and have dedicated the past six years to supporting students with diverse learning needs. During that time, I have served as a Behavioral Self-Contained BASE+ paraprofessional, an ACCESS paraprofessional working with students with significant disabilities, and a general education paraprofessional in both elementary and intermediate schools. This fall, I will begin serving as a Teacher Fellow while completing my student teaching as I finish my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Every student deserves an adult who believes in them, especially those who struggle the most. My years in special education have shown me that children often communicate through their behavior long before they can express their emotions with words. I have worked with students experiencing autism, emotional disabilities, developmental delays, and behavioral challenges, and I have learned that patience, consistency, and genuine relationships can change a child’s educational experience. My goal is to become the kind of teacher who creates a classroom where every child feels safe, respected, and capable of success. I want my students to know that their differences are strengths, not limitations. I also hope to advocate for inclusive classrooms where students of all abilities learn to support and appreciate one another. Beyond academics, I want to help children develop confidence, resilience, and the belief that their future is not determined by their circumstances. As a single mother maintaining a 3.88 GPA while working full-time, I understand the power of determination and education. My children watch me study after long workdays, complete assignments late into the night, and continue pursuing my dream despite life’s challenges. I hope my example teaches them that hard work, faith, and perseverance can overcome even the most difficult obstacles. Receiving the Robert F. Lawson Fund for Careers that Care Scholarship would not only ease the financial burden of completing my education but would also invest in someone who has already dedicated her career to caring for others. Whether I was caring for patients in healthcare or supporting students in the classroom, my purpose has always remained the same: to make people’s lives better. I believe the greatest impact we can make is helping others discover their own potential. As a teacher, I hope to inspire children to believe in themselves, dream without limits, and know that someone will always be in their corner, just as so many people have been in mine.

Working full-time while earning my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education has been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life. For the past six years, I have proudly served Klein ISD in several roles, including a Behavioral Self-Contained BASE+ Paraprofessional, an ACCESS Paraprofessional supporting students with significant disabilities, and a general education paraprofessional. I have worked with students in both elementary and intermediate schools, gaining valuable experience serving children with diverse academic, behavioral, and emotional needs. This fall, I will begin a new chapter as a Teacher Fellow, serving as my campus substitute teacher while completing my student teaching. Although my responsibilities continue to grow, so does my commitment to becoming the educator my students deserve. Balancing work and school has required countless late nights, early mornings, and careful planning. After a full day at school, I return home to care for my children before completing coursework and preparing for the next day. Maintaining a 3.88 GPA while working full-time has required discipline, determination, and sacrifice, but every assignment brings me one step closer to achieving my dream of becoming a certified teacher. One of the most difficult seasons of my life came while I was balancing work, school, and raising my children as a single mother. I became a mother at just 15 years old, and at 18, during my senior year of high school, I became pregnant with my daughter. After completing a medical assistant program, I began my healthcare career, but my world changed forever when my daughter passed away just before her fourth birthday. The grief was overwhelming, yet life did not stop. I still had bills to pay, children depending on me, and responsibilities that demanded my attention. There were days I questioned whether I had the strength to continue, but I refused to let tragedy define my future. Instead, I leaned on my faith, focused on taking one day at a time, and reminded myself that perseverance would create opportunities for my family. Those experiences shaped the educator I am today. Because I have faced adversity, I recognize that every child walks into school carrying a story that may be invisible to others. My students deserve patience, understanding, and someone who believes in their potential even when they struggle to believe in themselves. Receiving this scholarship would ease the financial burden of balancing full-time employment with college expenses as I complete my final steps toward becoming a certified teacher. More importantly, it would be an investment in an educator who has dedicated her career to serving children, especially those with special needs. I am committed to using my education to create an inclusive classroom where every student feels valued, capable, and inspired to succeed. My journey has taught me that obstacles do not determine our future—our perseverance does. That lesson is one I hope to pass on to every student who enters my classroom.

Some careers are chosen, while others become a calling. For me, teaching is a calling that grew from both my personal experiences and the children whose lives have touched mine. My path has been far from traditional. I became a mother at 15 years old and learned early what responsibility, sacrifice, and unconditional love truly meant. At 18, during my senior year of high school, I became pregnant with my daughter. After graduating, I completed a Medical Assistant program and began my healthcare career at 21, spending seven years working in wound care and lymphatic therapy. Just before my daughter’s fourth birthday, I experienced the unimaginable loss of losing her. Although that grief has never left me, it deepened my compassion and strengthened my desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. After healthcare, I spent seven years working in special education. It was there that I discovered where I truly belonged. Every day, I watched students overcome obstacles with the right encouragement, patience, and support. I realized that a caring educator can completely change a child’s confidence and future. Those experiences inspired me to return to college to earn my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. The person who changed my life most wasn’t a teacher from my childhood—it was one of my own students. When I met Elijah, I saw a child who deserved love, stability, and someone who believed in him. Over time, that relationship grew into something much deeper, and I eventually adopted him. Today, Elijah is my 15-year-old son. Becoming his mother changed the way I see education forever. I realized that children need more than lessons in reading and math. They need adults who make them feel safe, valued, and capable of succeeding, regardless of what they may be facing outside the classroom. That experience confirmed my calling to teach. I want to create a classroom where every child feels seen, heard, and encouraged. I want my students to know that their circumstances do not define their future. Whether they come from stable homes or difficult situations, every child deserves a teacher who believes in them. Today, while raising my four sons—Noah, Elijah, Dimitri, and Urijah—I am pursuing my degree at Walden University with a 3.88 GPA. I am a member of Omega Lambda and the Society for Collegiate Leadership, and I continue volunteering in my community as a youth football team mom. Every challenge I have faced has strengthened my commitment to becoming an educator who leads with compassion, patience, and understanding. The Marie Humphries Memorial Scholarship would help me continue pursuing this calling by easing the financial burden of completing my degree. More importantly, it would support my goal of becoming the kind of teacher who changes lives—not only through academics but by helping children believe in themselves. Just as Elijah changed my life, I hope to spend my career helping countless children discover that they are capable of far more than they ever imagined.

People often tell me they do not know how I do it. The truth is, there are days when I do not know either. Being a full-time college student while raising four boys as a single mother is exhausting, overwhelming, and at times emotionally draining. Yet every morning, I wake up with the same purpose: to build a better future for my children. They are the reason I returned to school, and they are the reason I refuse to give up. My journey to this point has been anything but traditional. I became a mother at just 15 years old when my oldest son, Noah, was born. Becoming a teenage mother changed my life forever. While many of my classmates were thinking about prom, sports, or college, I was learning how to care for an infant. I had to grow up quickly and learned that love often means sacrifice. My son became my greatest motivation to create opportunities that I never thought were possible. At 18, during my senior year of high school, I became pregnant with my daughter. After graduation, I completed a Medical Assistant program and began my healthcare career at 21 years old. For seven years, I worked in wound care and lymphatic therapy, helping patients heal physically while providing compassion during some of their most difficult moments. Then, just before my daughter’s fourth birthday, I experienced every parent’s worst nightmare when she passed away. Losing her left a hole in my heart that will never completely heal, but it also taught me how precious life truly is. Instead of allowing grief to stop me, I chose to let it strengthen my compassion for others. Over the years, my family continued to grow. Today I am the proud mother of Noah, 20, Elijah, 15, Dimitri, 11, and Urijah, 7. One of the greatest blessings of my life came when I adopted Elijah, one of my former students. What began as supporting a child who needed stability became a lifelong commitment to being his mother. That experience reminded me that family is built through love, trust, and showing up every single day. My children have taught me more about strength than any textbook ever could. The most challenging part of being both a student and a single parent is that there is never enough time. Every role I have is important. My children need my attention, encouragement, and guidance. They deserve a mother who attends football games, helps with homework, comforts them after difficult days, and celebrates every success. At the same time, earning my degree requires hours of reading, research, writing, and studying. Most of my schoolwork happens late at night after everyone else has gone to bed. There are evenings when I am writing papers after midnight and mornings when I wake up before sunrise to start another busy day. Rest often becomes the sacrifice. Financially, returning to school has also been difficult. As the sole provider for my family, every decision matters. Tuition, textbooks, groceries, sports fees, school supplies, utilities, and unexpected expenses compete for the same limited budget. There are moments when I wonder how I will make everything work, but then I remind myself why I started this journey. Education is not simply a personal goal—it is my family’s pathway to stability and opportunity. Despite these challenges, I have maintained a 3.88 GPA while pursuing my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education at Walden University. I am honored to be a member of Omega Lambda and the Society for Collegiate Leadership, where I continue to strengthen my leadership skills. Before returning to school, I also spent seven years working in special education, where I discovered my passion for helping children learn, grow, and believe in themselves. That experience inspired me to become an elementary teacher. I want to create a classroom where every child feels seen, safe, and capable of success. I understand that some students walk into school carrying burdens that are invisible to others because my own family has lived through hardship, loss, and uncertainty. I want to be the teacher who recognizes those struggles while helping students discover their strengths. Education has the power to change the trajectory of a child’s life, and I want to spend my career helping children believe that their circumstances do not define their future. Receiving the Organic Formula Shop Single Parent Scholarship would relieve some of the financial burden that comes with balancing college and parenthood. More importantly, it would allow me to continue investing in a future where my children see firsthand that perseverance, education, and hard work create opportunities. I want them to remember not the long nights or the sacrifices, but the example their mother set by refusing to quit. My degree is about far more than earning a diploma. It is about breaking generational barriers, creating financial stability, and showing my children that no matter how difficult life becomes, dreams are still worth pursuing. I hope that one day they will look back and understand that every late night, every challenge, and every sacrifice was made out of love. My education is not just changing my future—it is changing theirs as well

Returning to school has been one of the hardest and most rewarding decisions I have ever made. As a single mother of four boys, every day requires balancing school, family, work, and financial responsibilities. I did not return to college with only my own future in mind. I returned because I want to create a better future for my children and become the kind of teacher who changes lives. My journey has never followed a traditional path. I became a mother at 15 years old when my oldest son, Noah, was born. Becoming a teenage mother meant growing up quickly. While my friends were focused on high school activities, I was learning how to care for a child and provide for my family. At 18, during my senior year of high school, I became pregnant with my daughter. After graduating, I completed a Medical Assistant program and began my career at 21 years old. I spent seven years working in wound care and lymphatic therapy, helping patients heal while supporting my family. Just before my daughter’s fourth birthday, my life changed forever when she passed away. Losing a child is a pain that never truly leaves you. There were moments when grief made it difficult to see the future, but I knew I had to keep going. I wanted my children to see that even in life’s darkest moments, we can choose hope, strength, and purpose. Over the years, my family continued to grow. Today I am the proud mother of Noah, 20, Elijah, 15, Dimitri, 11, and Urijah, 7. One of the greatest blessings of my life was adopting Elijah, one of my former students. What began as supporting a child who needed stability became a lifelong commitment to being his mother. That experience strengthened my belief that family is built through love, commitment, and showing up every day. Returning to school while raising four boys has required sacrifices that few people see. My days begin before sunrise and often end after midnight. I help with homework, attend football practices and games, volunteer as a team mom, manage our household, and complete my own coursework after everyone else is asleep. There are times when finances are stretched thin, and I have questioned how I would pay for textbooks, tuition, or everyday expenses. Still, I continue because I know education is the key to creating opportunities for my family. Despite these challenges, I have maintained a 3.88 GPA while pursuing my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education at Walden University. I am also a member of Omega Lambda and the Society for Collegiate Leadership, where I continue developing my leadership skills. Before returning to college, I also spent seven years working in special education, where I discovered my passion for helping children learn and grow. Those experiences inspired me to pursue my dream of becoming an elementary teacher. Returning to school has reminded me that resilience is built through persistence, not perfection. Every obstacle I have overcome has prepared me to become an educator who sees the whole child, understands that every student has a story, and creates a classroom where every child feels valued and capable of success. Receiving the Jerrye Chesnes Memorial Scholarship would help ease the financial burden of completing my degree and allow me to focus on becoming the teacher my future students deserve. More than anything, it would be an investment in someone who has never allowed hardship to define her future, but instead has used every challenge as motivation to build a better one

At just 15 years old, I became a mother to my oldest son, Noah. While many people saw a teenager whose future had been limited, I saw someone who depended on me completely. Becoming a mother at such a young age forced me to mature quickly. I learned responsibility, resilience, and sacrifice long before most of my peers. Instead of giving up on my dreams, I made a promise to my son that I would build a life he could be proud of. At 18, during my senior year of high school, I became pregnant with my daughter. After graduating, I enrolled in a Medical Assistant program and, at 21 years old, began my career in healthcare. I was determined to provide stability for my growing family. Then, just before my daughter’s fourth birthday, my world changed forever when she passed away. Losing a child is a pain that never truly leaves you. There were days when grief felt unbearable, but I knew I still had to keep moving forward. My children needed me, and I wanted to honor my daughter’s memory by living a life filled with purpose, compassion, and service. Over the years, my family continued to grow. Today, I am the proud mother of Noah, now 20, Dimitri, 11, and Urijah, 7. One of the greatest blessings of my life came when I adopted one of my students, Elijah. What began as supporting a child who needed stability became a lifelong commitment to giving him the love, security, and family every child deserves. Becoming Elijah’s mother reaffirmed my belief that family is built not only through birth but also through unconditional love and commitment. As a single mother pursuing my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, every day requires planning, sacrifice, and determination. I balance coursework, financial responsibilities, raising four boys, and volunteering in my community while striving to be fully present for my children. Many nights, I study after everyone is asleep, knowing that every assignment completed brings me one step closer to achieving my dream. Despite these challenges, I have maintained a 3.88 GPA and earned membership in Omega Lambda and the Society for Collegiate Leadership. I also volunteer as a team mom for my son’s youth football team because I believe serving others is just as important as achieving personal success. My life experiences have shaped the educator I aspire to become. I understand that many children carry burdens that are invisible to others. I want my classroom to be a place where every student feels safe, valued, and capable of success, regardless of their circumstances. I want to be the teacher who recognizes potential, offers encouragement, and becomes the caring adult every child deserves. Receiving the Grandmother’s Love Single Mom Scholarship would ease the financial burden of completing my degree and allow me to continue building a better future for my family. More importantly, it would be an investment in a mother who has never stopped believing that even through loss, hardship, and adversity, love, education, and perseverance can change lives

My journey has never been defined by the obstacles I have faced but by the determination to overcome them. As a single mother, full-time student, and dedicated professional, I have learned that resilience is built one difficult day at a time. Every challenge has strengthened my commitment to creating a better future for my children and for the students I hope to serve. Before pursuing my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education at Walden University, I spent seven years working as a medical assistant specializing in wound care and lymphatic therapy. I also spent seven years working in special education, where I discovered my passion for helping children learn, grow, and believe in themselves. Watching students overcome challenges through patience, encouragement, and individualized support inspired me to become the teacher I once needed myself. Balancing college, motherhood, work, and financial responsibilities has not been easy. There have been countless late nights spent studying after my children were asleep and early mornings spent preparing for another full day. Despite these challenges, I have maintained a 3.88 GPA while becoming a member of Omega Lambda and the Society for Collegiate Leadership. I have also completed leadership development certificates, volunteered as a youth leader through my church, and currently serve as a volunteer team mom for my son’s youth football team. These experiences have strengthened my leadership, compassion, and commitment to serving others. My goal is to become an elementary school teacher who creates a classroom where every child feels safe, valued, and capable of success. I want to be the educator who recognizes potential in students who may be struggling academically, emotionally, or financially because I understand how much one caring adult can change a child’s future. I hope to inspire my students to believe that their circumstances do not determine their possibilities. Receiving the Concrete Rose Scholarship would ease the financial burden of completing my degree and allow me to focus on becoming the educator my future students deserve. More importantly, it would represent an investment in someone who is committed to giving back. I plan to use my education not only to teach academic skills but also to build confidence, encourage perseverance, and create opportunities for children who need someone to believe in them. My story is still being written. Every class I complete, every challenge I overcome, and every child I will one day teach is another reminder that resilience can bloom even in the hardest places. Like a concrete rose, I have learned to grow through adversity, and I intend to help others do the same.

Growing up in a low-income household taught me that resilience is built through perseverance, faith, and hard work. Today, as a single mother, I draw on those lessons every day as I balance raising my children, working, and earning my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. There have been times when financial struggles, long days, and exhaustion made my goals seem out of reach, but quitting has never been an option. My children are my greatest motivation, and I want them to see that determination can overcome even the hardest circumstances. Before returning to college, I spent seven years working as a medical assistant specializing in wound care and lymphatic therapy. I also spent seven years working in special education, where I discovered my passion for helping children learn, grow, and believe in themselves. That experience inspired me to pursue my dream of becoming an elementary school teacher. Despite the challenges of being a full-time student and single parent, I have maintained a 3.88 GPA and earned membership in Omega Lambda and the Society for Collegiate Leadership. I continue to develop my leadership skills through additional certifications while volunteering as a team mom for my son’s youth football team and previously serving as a youth leader at my church. My goal is to create a classroom where every child feels seen, supported, and capable of success, regardless of their background. I want to be the teacher who encourages students to dream bigger than their circumstances, just as others encouraged me. Receiving this scholarship would ease the financial burden of completing my education and allow me to focus on becoming the educator my future students deserve. I hope my journey reminds others that difficult beginnings do not define our future our perseverance does.