Going to college at this stage in my life represents far more than earning a degree. It symbolizes rebuilding, reclaiming my future, and proving to myself and my daughters that it is never too late to grow. When I lost my husband six years ago, my entire world shifted. Overnight, I became the only parent to my daughters, responsible for their emotional healing, financial stability, and the future we had once imagined together. For a long time, survival was my only focus. But as time passed, I realized that simply surviving was not enough. I wanted to create a life that offered stability, opportunity, and pride, not just for my daughters, but for myself. Returning to college at 45 was one of the most intimidating decisions I have ever made. I had been out of the classroom for more than two decades, and stepping back into an academic environment felt overwhelming. Technology had changed, expectations were different, and I was balancing school with full‑time work, running my business, and raising my daughters alone. But I also knew that education was the key to transforming our future. Going to college became my way of choosing hope over fear, progress over stagnation, and purpose over uncertainty. What I am trying to accomplish goes beyond earning a diploma. I am working toward a career in Web & Mobile Development, a field that blends creativity, problem‑solving, and technology in ways that excite me. Through my coursework and hands‑on experience at Herweck’s Art Supply and my business, TSP Dezignz LLC, I’ve discovered how powerful digital tools can be in helping people learn, create, and connect. I want to build a career where I can use technology to support others, especially those who may feel intimidated by it, just as I once did. My long‑term goal is to continue my education and pursue my bachelor’s degree so I can expand my opportunities and deepen my impact. Going to college has also reshaped my personal values. It has taught me resilience, discipline, and the importance of lifelong learning. It has shown my daughters that strength is not about having an easy path, it is about choosing to keep moving forward, even when the path is difficult. They have watched me study late at night, push through challenges, and stay committed to my goals. I want them to grow up knowing that they can overcome anything, and that investing in themselves is always worth it. This scholarship would make a meaningful difference in helping me accomplish these goals. As a widow and single parent, every financial decision carries weight. Tuition, books, transportation, and the cost of continuing my education all add pressure to an already full plate. This scholarship would ease that burden and allow me to focus more fully on my coursework, my career development, and my long‑term plans. It would help me continue my education without sacrificing the stability my daughters depend on. To me, going to college means rewriting my story. It means turning loss into strength, uncertainty into opportunity, and hope into action. With this scholarship, I can continue building a future that reflects resilience, purpose, and the belief that it is never too late to pursue a better life, for myself, for my daughters, and for the community I hope to serve

My journey into the technology field has been shaped by a combination of life experience, curiosity, and the determination to rebuild my future after loss. As widow and single parent who returned to school at 45, I never imagined I would be pursuing a degree in Web & Mobile Development, yet this path has become one of the most empowering chapters of my life. Technology has always been a part of my work, but it wasn’t until I experienced firsthand how powerful digital tools can be, both in business and in education, that I realized I wanted to build a career in this field. My background is a blend of creativity and technical problem‑solving. Through my business, TSP Dezignz LLC, I work with digital design tools such as DTF printing, laser engraving, embroidery, and Adobe software. These tools sparked my interest in understanding how technology shapes user experiences and how digital systems support creative workflows. At Herweck’s Art Supply, my role expanded into IT support, website updates, pricing changes, inventory accuracy, and equipment operation. I learned how essential technology is in keeping a business running smoothly, from troubleshooting software issues to maintaining production equipment and ensuring accurate digital records. These experiences opened my eyes to the broader world of information technology. I became fascinated by how websites function, how applications are built, and how digital tools can make processes more efficient and accessible. This curiosity led me to enroll in the Web & Mobile Development program at St. Philip’s College. Returning to school after so many years was intimidating, but it also reignited a passion for learning that I didn’t realize I had been missing. Throughout my program, I have completed projects that strengthened my skills in coding, interface design, and problem‑solving. I have built websites, practiced responsive design, and learned how to evaluate code for structure, performance, and accessibility. These projects taught me not only technical skills but also patience, persistence, and the importance of continuous learning, qualities that are essential in the fast‑moving world of technology. Beyond academics, I have used my growing skills to support my community. Whether helping customers at work understand equipment, assisting coworkers with software issues, or guiding others through digital tools, I’ve seen how empowering technology can be when someone takes the time to teach it. My goal is to continue this work by creating accessible digital resources and helping others feel confident using technology, especially those who may feel intimidated by it, just as I once did. This scholarship would play a crucial role in helping me continue my education. As I finish my degree and apply for jobs in my field, my next step is to pursue my bachelor’s degree to expand my opportunities and deepen my expertise. As a single parent, balancing tuition, household responsibilities, and educational expenses is challenging. This scholarship would ease that financial pressure and allow me to stay focused on my long‑term goals. Ultimately, I want to use my education to make a positive impact, by building user‑friendly digital tools, supporting community learning, and showing others, especially women returning to school later in life, that it is never too late to pursue a new path. My journey has taught me resilience, adaptability, and the power of technology to transform lives. With this scholarship, I can continue building a future that reflects those values and creates opportunities not only for myself, but for my daughters and my community.

Reflecting on my life journey, I can see how every challenge, loss, and turning point has led me to pursue higher education at this stage in my life. Six years ago, I lost my husband, and with that loss came a complete shift in my world. I became the only parent to my daughters, responsible for their emotional healing, financial stability, and the future we had once planned together. Grief forced me to rebuild my life from the ground up, and in that rebuilding, I discovered a strength and determination I didn’t know I had. For years, I focused solely on survival, working, parenting, and doing everything I could to keep our home steady. But as my daughters grew, I realized that I needed to create a future that offered more than stability. I wanted to show them that even after life breaks you open, you can rise again with purpose. At 45, I made the decision to return to school and pursue a degree in Web & Mobile Development. It was intimidating to step back into a classroom after more than two decades, but it was also empowering. I knew I was choosing growth, not just for myself, but for my daughters. My experiences have shaped my personal values in profound ways. I value resilience because I have lived through moments that demanded it. I value education because it has given me the tools to rebuild my life. And I value community because I know what it feels like to need support and what it means to offer it to others. These values guide my career aspirations. I want to work in technology and digital design, not only to provide stability for my family, but to create tools and resources that help others feel confident navigating technology. Whether through community workshops, mentorship, or building accessible digital solutions, I want to use my skills to uplift others the way I once needed to be uplifted. As I near the completion of my degree, I am actively applying for jobs in my field. This is a milestone I am incredibly proud of, but it is only the beginning. My next goal is to pursue my bachelor’s degree so I can continue advancing and expanding my impact. I want my daughters to see that growth doesn’t stop with one achievement, it is a lifelong commitment. This scholarship would play a critical role in helping me reach these goals. As a single parent, and their only parent, every financial decision carries weight. Tuition, books, transportation, and the cost of continuing my education all add pressure to an already full plate. This scholarship would ease that burden, allowing me to focus more fully on my coursework, my career development, and my long‑term goals. It would help me continue my education without sacrificing the stability my daughters depend on. Most importantly, this scholarship would support the future I am building, a future where I use my education to make a meaningful difference in my community and in the lives of others. It would help me turn my journey of loss, resilience, and renewal into a source of strength and inspiration for my daughters and for anyone who has ever felt that it was too late to start again.

Six years ago, my life changed in a way I never expected. Losing my husband meant losing my partner, my support system, and the future we had planned together. Overnight, I became the only parent to my two teenage daughters, responsible for their emotional healing, their stability, and their sense of safety. Grief does not pause life, and I had to find a way to keep moving forward for them. Those early years were filled with uncertainty, long days, and even longer nights, but they also revealed a strength in me that I didn’t know I had. At age 45, I made a decision that felt both intimidating and empowering: I returned to school. I never imagined I would be back in a classroom at this stage of my life, balancing coursework with a full‑time job, running my business, and raising my daughters. But I knew that if I wanted to build a better future for my family, I had to invest in myself. Going back to school has been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life. It required discipline, sacrifice, and a willingness to believe in my own potential again. One of the most significant academic challenges I faced was returning to college after more than two decades away from the classroom. At my age, stepping back into an academic environment felt intimidating. Technology had changed, expectations were different, and many of my classmates were younger and more familiar with the tools and platforms used in modern coursework. On top of that, I was balancing a full‑time job, running my business, and raising my daughters on my own. There were moments when I questioned whether I belonged in this space or whether I could keep up. I overcame this challenge by committing to consistency and refusing to let fear dictate my progress. I built new study habits, learned to manage my time with intention, and wasn’t afraid to ask questions or seek help when I needed it. I spent late nights reviewing material, watching tutorials, and practicing skills until they became second nature. Over time, I realized that my age wasn’t a disadvantage, it was a source of strength. I brought discipline, life experience, and determination that helped me push through difficult assignments and unfamiliar concepts. Now, I am close to finishing my degree in Web & Mobile Development, and I am actively applying for jobs in my field. This experience has shaped my goals by strengthening my commitment to building a career that blends creativity, technology, and community impact. I want to use my skills to create accessible digital tools and contribute to environments where others feel confident learning new technology. This challenge taught me that growth requires discomfort and that success is built through steady effort, not perfection. It also showed me that I am capable of learning new technologies and adapting to a rapidly changing field. These lessons will continue to guide me as I finish my degree, and work toward earning my bachelor’s. I now approach challenges with confidence, knowing I have already proven to myself that I can rise to meet them. Receiving this scholarship would ease the financial pressure of finishing my degree and continuing my education. It would allow me to stay focused on my long‑term goals and provide the stability my daughters and I have worked so hard to rebuild. This opportunity would not only support my education, it would help me continue transforming loss into purpose, resilience, and a future my family can be proud of.