When I was 15 years old, I was hospitalized due to a suicide attempt. My experience throughout K-12 was incredibly challenging. I experienced my first depressive episode at 10 years old and had major anxiety for as long as I could remember (which I saw a child psychologist for). It was not until I was 14 years old that I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder and PTSD. The PTSD diagnosis came from a year long abusive relationship at the age of 13. When I found the courage to leave such a toxic relationship, with the help of my supportive friends, I also decided to finally tell my parents about what this person had done to me and that I wanted to report him. What I thought would be support and justice, turned out to be utter disappointment. My mom told me to not tell anyone, especially not my school or the police, and my dad said that it was my fault for being with him. I have never felt so alone during that time. My mental health started declining along with my grades. My sophomore guitar teacher noticed that I stopped caring about school and pulled me aside to speak to me about it. I eventually confided in him of what was happening, which resulted in him having to call my parents and report it to the school. I wrote down everything about my time with my ex in front of the principal of the school. My mom was upset and embarrassed that I had said something, and nothing happened after that. It was as if my mom had told the principal not to do anything further. I felt even more alone and that I was just a problem for my parents and everyone around me. Eventually, my mom took me to see a therapist as a last resort, which did help me for a while since I was finally able to talk to somebody without any judgment. Unfortunately, I still felt isolated from my family and alone since my ex got away with everything, and I decided to end my life. I was lucky that my friend was there to stop me, and I confessed to my therapist the next day. I was sent to a psychiatric hospital that evening. During my time at the hospital, I learned a lot about coping skills, setting boundaries for myself, and that I wasn't in this fight alone. I eventually met a worker there who had self-harm scars on her wrist and that is when I knew that I wanted to help people. Six years later, I started working at the same psychiatric facility as a Mental Health Specialist for two years and am currently in a graduate program for social work and working at a health clinic as a Community Health Worker. I am also in the most healthiest relationship with my boyfriend of almost 7 years. If it weren't for the people who never gave up on me and was there at my lowest points, I wouldn't be where I am today. I am hoping that with this scholarship, I can complete this program and become an LCSW and get my own private practice as a child and adolescent therapist. I want to be there for someone at their lowest points, just like some people were for me.

When I was 15 years old, I was hospitalized due to a suicide attempt. My experience throughout K-12 was incredibly challenging. I experienced my first depressive episode at 10 years old and had major anxiety for as long as I could remember (which I saw a child psychologist for). It was not until I was 14 years old that I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder and PTSD. The PTSD diagnosis came from a year long abusive relationship at the age of 13. When I found the courage to leave such a toxic relationship, with the help of my supportive friends, I also decided to finally tell my parents about what this person had done to me and that I wanted to report him. What I thought would be support and justice, turned out to be utter disappointment. My mom told me to not tell anyone, especially not my school or the police, and my dad said that it was my fault for being with him. I have never felt so alone during that time. My mental health started declining along with my grades. My sophomore guitar teacher noticed that I stopped caring about school and pulled me aside to speak to me about it. I eventually confided in him of what was happening, which resulted in him having to call my parents and report it to the school. I wrote down everything about my time with my ex in front of the principal of the school. My mom was upset and embarrassed that I had said something, and nothing happened after that. It was as if my mom had told the principal not to do anything further. I felt even more alone and that I was just a problem for my parents and everyone around me. Eventually, my mom took me to see a therapist as a last resort, which did help me for a while since I was finally able to talk to somebody without any judgment. Unfortunately, I still felt isolated from my family and alone since my ex got away with everything, and I decided to end my life. I was lucky that my friend was there to stop me, and I confessed to my therapist the next day. I was sent to a psychiatric hospital that evening. During my time at the hospital, I learned a lot about coping skills, setting boundaries for myself, and that I wasn't in this fight alone. I eventually met a worker there who had self-harm scars on her wrist and that is when I knew that I wanted to help people. Six years later, I started working at the same psychiatric facility as a Mental Health Specialist for two years and am currently in a graduate program for social work and working at a health clinic as a Community Health Worker. If it weren't for the people who never gave up on me and was there at my lowest points, I wouldn't be where I am today. I now know how to set boundaries with certain people and understand that my mental health comes first. I am hoping that with this scholarship, I can complete this program and become an LCSW and get my own private practice as a child and adolescent therapist. I want to be there for someone at their lowest points, just like some people were for me.

When I was 15 years old, I was hospitalized due to a suicide attempt. My k-12 journey was pretty difficult. I experienced my first depressive episode at 10 years old and had major anxiety for as long as I could remember (which I saw a child psychologist for). It was not until I was 14 years old that I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder and PTSD. The PTSD diagnosis came from a year long abusive relationship at the age of 13. When I found the courage to leave such a toxic relationship, with the help of my supportive friends, I also decided to finally tell my parents about what this person had done to me and that I wanted to report him. What I thought would be support and justice, turned out to be utter disappointment. My mom told me to not tell anyone, especially not my school or the police, and my dad said that it was my fault for being with him. I have never felt so alone during that time. My mental health started declining along with my grades. My sophomore guitar teacher noticed that I stopped caring about school and pulled me aside to speak to me about it. I eventually confided in him of what was happening, which resulted in him having to call my parents and report it to the school. I wrote down everything about my time with my ex in front of the principal of the school. My mom was upset and embarrassed that I had said something, and nothing happened after that. It was as if my mom had told the principal not to do anything further. I felt even more alone and that I was just a problem for my parents and everyone around me. Eventually, my mom took me to see a therapist as a last resort, which did help me for a while since I was finally able to talk to somebody without any judgment. Unfortunately, I still felt isolated from my family and alone since my ex got away with everything, and I decided to end my life. I was lucky that my friend was there to stop me, and I confessed to my therapist the next day. I was sent to a psychiatric hospital that evening. During my time at the hospital, I learned a lot about coping skills, setting boundaries for myself, and that I wasn't in this fight alone. I eventually met a worker there who had self-harm scars on her wrist and that is when I knew that I wanted to help people. Six years later, I started working at the same psychiatric facility as a Mental Health Specialist for two years and am currently in a graduate program for social work and working at a health clinic as a Community Health Worker. If it weren't for the people who never gave up on me and was there at my lowest points, I wouldn't be where I am today. I am hoping that with this scholarship, I can complete this program and become an LCSW and get my own private practice as a child and adolescent therapist. I want to be there for someone at their lowest points, just like some people were for me.

At the age of 3, I was legally adopted by my aunt and uncle due to my biological parents being addicted to drugs. Because my biological mother engaged in cocaine while pregnant with me, I was born with a lot of health issues, both physical and cognitive. From elementary to high school, I was a part of IEP (Individualized Education Program) and placed in special education classes due to my learning disability. Because of the amount of accommodations I had in school and how much of an easy target I was for bullies, I felt very inadequate and became unmotivated with my school work. At the age of 13 I engaged in self harm, and was diagnosed with anxiety and major depressive disorder at the age of 14. At the age of 15, I was admitted into a psychiatric facility due to having suicidal ideations after being in an abusive relationship for 1 year. It wasn't until I met a staff member at the psychiatric facility who had old self harm scars on her wrists, that I knew I wanted to work in the mental health field. Having struggled with my own mental health, I feel that having good support systems and advocates are important when it comes to helping others going through certain struggles of their own. After graduating high school with a barely passing GPA, I decided to go to college. In 2023, I received my bachelor's degree in psychology and am currently in my master's program for social work. Looking back on my struggles, I feel a sense of gratitude. I feel like I would not have become the woman I am today, having a passion for helping and advocating for others, if not for my struggles. My current goal for the future is to become a child and adolescent therapist for those going through mental health issues. During my senior year of my undergrad, I conducted my capstone thesis on the efficacy of sand play therapy for all ages, including adults. My paper was a way for me to advocate for those who struggle with verbal expression, especially those who are mute or have endured significant trauma, finding traditional talk therapy challenging. My goal as a therapist is to make my office a safe and fun space for my clients. As I pursue this master’s degree, I am driven by a desire to make a difference. My own experiences have given me a deep understanding of the challenges faced by those dealing with adversity. I'm committed to advocating for marginalized individuals, ensuring they have a voice and access to the support they need. In my future career as a social worker, I aim to create a more inclusive and equitable society. Drawing from my past, I'll work tirelessly to break down barriers and empower others to overcome their own obstacles. My journey has taught me the importance of empathy and compassion, values that will guide me as I strive to make a positive impact in the lives of others.

At the age of 3, I was legally adopted by my aunt and uncle due to my biological parents being addicted to drugs. Because my biological mother engaged in cocaine while pregnant with me, I was born with a lot of health issues, both physical and cognitive. From elementary to high school, I was a part of IEP (Individualized Education Program) and placed in special education classes due to my learning disability. Because of the amount of accommodations I had in school and how much of an easy target I was for bullies, I felt very inadequate and became unmotivated with my school work. At the age of 13 I engaged in self harm, and was diagnosed with anxiety and major depressive disorder at the age of 14. At the age of 15, I was admitted into a psychiatric facility due to having suicidal ideations after being in an abusive relationship for 1 year. It wasn't until I met a staff member at the psychiatric facility who had old self harm scars on her wrists, that I knew I wanted to work in the mental health field. Having struggled with my own mental health, I feel that having good support systems and advocates are important when it comes to helping others going through certain struggles of their own. As I have mentioned before, I struggled with my mental health and learning disability at a young age, which is why I want to specifically help children since I believe that early intervention can have a profound impact on their lifelong well-being. I feel that I am a good candidate because I have first hand experience with the challenge of learning disabilities. Despite such challenges, I have demonstrated resilience. After graduating high school with a barely passing GPA, I decided to go to college. In 2023, I received my bachelor's degree in psychology and am currently in my master's program for social work. Looking back on my struggles, I feel a sense of gratitude. I feel like I would not have become the woman I am today, having a passion for helping and advocating for others, if not for my struggles. My current goal for the future is to become a child and adolescent therapist for those going through mental health issues. During my senior year of my undergrad, I conducted my capstone thesis on the efficacy of sand play therapy for all ages, including adults. My paper was a way for me to advocate for those who struggle with verbal expression, especially those who are mute or have endured significant trauma, finding traditional talk therapy challenging. My goal as a therapist is to make my office a safe and fun space for my clients.

At the age of 3, I was legally adopted by my aunt and uncle due to my biological parents being addicted to drugs. Because my biological mother engaged in cocaine while pregnant with me, I was born with a lot of health issues, both physical and cognitive. From elementary to high school, I was a part of IEP (Individualized Education Program) and placed in special education classes due to my learning disability. Because of the amount of accommodations I had in school and how much of an easy target I was for bullies, I felt very inadequate and became unmotivated with my school work. At the age of 13 I engaged in self harm, and was diagnosed with anxiety and major depressive disorder at the age of 14. At the age of 15, I was admitted into a psychiatric facility due to having suicidal ideations after being in an abusive relationship for 1 year. It wasn't until I met a staff member at the psychiatric facility who had old self harm scars on her wrists, that I knew I wanted to work in the mental health field. Having struggled with my own mental health, I feel that having good support systems and advocates are important when it comes to helping others going through certain struggles of their own. As I have mentioned before, I struggled with my mental health and learning disability at a young age, which is why I want to specifically help children since I believe that early intervention can have a profound impact on their lifelong well-being. I feel that I am a good candidate because I have first hand experience with the challenge of learning disabilities. Despite such challenges, I have demonstrated resilience. After graduating high school with a barely passing GPA, I decided to go to college. In 2023, I received my bachelor's degree in psychology and am currently in my master's program for social work. Looking back on my struggles, I feel a sense of gratitude. I feel like I would not have become the woman I am today, having a passion for helping and advocating for others, if not for my struggles. My current goal for the future is to become a child and adolescent therapist for those going through mental health issues. During my senior year of my undergrad, I conducted my capstone thesis on the efficacy of sand play therapy for all ages, including adults. My paper was a way for me to advocate for those who struggle with verbal expression, especially those who are mute or have endured significant trauma, finding traditional talk therapy challenging. My goal as a therapist is to make my office a safe and fun space for my clients.

When I was 14 years old, I was diagnosed with anxiety and major depressive disorder. At 13, I engaged in self harm and at the age of 15, I was admitted into a psychiatric facility due to having suicidal ideations after being in an abusive relationship for a year. While all of these experiences were not easy in any way, I feel like it has shaped me to become the women that I am today. After being admitted into the psychiatric facility and meeting a staff member there that had old self harm scars, I was inspired and knew that I wanted to work in the mental health field. I am a very open minded person, and I believe that it is because of my experiences growing up. I was legally adopted at the age of 3 by my aunty and uncle due to my birth parents being addicted to drugs. While I did hold a grudge for quite some time, as I had gotten older I realized how addiction can be a very difficult thing to overcome. My birth mom is now 20 years sober and we have a great relationship. As for my biological father, he now lives in Las Vegas with my half sister and we haven't been in contact for a while now but I have been content with that. Another reason that I am an open minded person stems from my own mental health struggles in the past as I have mentioned previously. I understand what it is like to feel alone with negative thoughts and not much of a support system, so I feel I can empathize with a lot of people in that way.

Growing up in Hawaii, with its rich tapestry of cultural and ethnic diversity, has instilled within me a deep appreciation for the complexities of human experience. This upbringing has fueled my passion for advocating for marginalized individuals and addressing systemic injustices. Education and awareness serve as foundational pillars in my approach to creating positive change. By continually educating myself about social issues and remaining informed about the unique needs of diverse communities, I strive to foster greater understanding and empathy in both myself and others. This commitment to learning extends beyond academic pursuits, encompassing a dedication to cultural competence and humility in my practice. I recognize the importance of respecting and honoring the diverse backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences of the individuals and communities I serve, and I endeavor to integrate this awareness into every aspect of my work. Advocacy emerges as a natural extension of my desire to effect meaningful change. I leverage my voice and platform to advocate for policy reforms and social initiatives that address the root causes of inequality and discrimination. Drawing from my own experiences and the stories of those I serve, I seek to amplify the voices of marginalized individuals, ensuring that their needs and concerns are heard and addressed. This advocacy extends beyond traditional channels, encompassing grassroots movements and community-based initiatives aimed at empowering individuals and fostering systemic change. By standing in solidarity with those who have been marginalized and oppressed, I strive to create a more inclusive and equitable society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive In my pursuit of social work, self-care and sustainability are paramount. I recognize the importance of prioritizing my own well-being in order to prevent burnout and maintain my effectiveness as a changemaker. Through mindfulness, boundary-setting, and self-compassion, I ensure that I am able to sustainably continue my efforts to make a positive impact. By nurturing my own resilience and practicing self-care, I not only safeguard my own well-being but also model healthy behaviors for those I serve. In doing so, I contribute to the creation of a more compassionate and supportive environment for individuals and communities to flourish. In my future career as a social worker, I aim to create a more inclusive and equitable society. Drawing from my past, I'll work tirelessly to break down barriers and empower others to overcome their own obstacles. My journey has taught me the importance of empathy and compassion, values that will guide me as I strive to make a positive impact in the lives of others.

Growing up in Oahu, Hawaii, my life wasn't without its challenges. At three years old, I was legally adopted by my aunt and uncle due to my birth parents' struggles with substance use addiction. Despite attempts at rehabilitation, my biological mother's relapse led to me being taken away from her for a second time at just six months old. I was then placed in foster care until I was fortunately adopted. Navigating through childhood to adolescence was no easy journey either, especially dealing with ADHD, migraines, and mental health issues. Because my birth mom did cocaine while pregnant with me, I had a lot of complications after I was born, and later developed learning disabilities. From elementary to high school, I was put into an IEP program and placed in special education classes. Additionally, I attended tutoring classes to receive extra help on my homework. Because of my learning disabilities, and thus being an easy target for bullies, I lost a lot of my motivation and eventually got diagnosed with anxiety and major depressive disorder. I engaged in self harm at 13 and at the age of 15, I was admitted into a psychiatric facility due to having suicidal ideations after my breaking point of being in an abusive relationship for 1 year. Eventually, with the help of my therapist at the time, accommodations from my teachers, and the support of my extended family, I was able to bring up my grades and graduate high school. My experience at the psychiatric facility is what started my passion for working in the mental health field. After I graduated high school in 2017, I moved to Los Angeles to attend Santa Monica College. Unfortunately, my mental health was still unstable and after my grades eventually started declining, I made the bold decision to leave after my second semester and move to Las Vegas with my current boyfriend who is also from Hawaii. After a year in Las Vegas and focusing on my mental health, my boyfriend and I decided to move back to our hometown and I decided to try college one more time. I started attending Leeward Community College in 2019, and 4 years later graduated with my Bachelor's in Psychology at the University of Hawaii West Oahu. During my senior year there, I was also fortunate to receive my acceptance letter at the University of Hawaii at Manoa for the Master’s in Social Work program. As I look back on my life journey, a lot of my struggles are what made me into the woman I am today. I have had a lot of obstacles in my life, but I was able to overcome them with learned coping strategies, a healthy support system, and the motivation of not giving up. As I pursue this master’s degree, I am driven by a desire to make a difference. My own experiences have given me a deep understanding of the challenges faced by those dealing with adversity. I'm committed to advocating for marginalized individuals, ensuring they have a voice and access to the support they need. In my future career as a social worker, I aim to create a more inclusive and equitable society. Drawing from my past, I'll work tirelessly to break down barriers and empower others to overcome their own obstacles. My journey has taught me the importance of empathy and compassion, values that will guide me as I strive to make a positive impact in the lives of others.