Being a student and a single parent is one of the most challenging things I have ever done, but it is also one of the most meaningful. Every day, I am balancing responsibilities that all matter deeply to me. I am a mother first, but I am also a student working toward a better future for my family. Sometimes, trying to give my best to both roles can leave me wondering if I am giving enough to either one. One of the hardest parts is the feeling that, at times, I may be disappointing my children. Because of my school schedule, work responsibilities, and financial limitations, we are not always able to do the “fun things” that other families may be able to enjoy. There are times when I have to say no, not because I do not want to give my children more, but because I have to make responsible choices about our time and finances. Sometimes schoolwork has to be completed instead of going somewhere fun. Sometimes money has to go toward necessities instead of experiences. As a parent, those moments can be difficult because I want my children to have happy memories and enjoy their childhood without feeling the weight of the sacrifices I am making. What keeps me going is reminding myself why I am making these sacrifices in the first place. My children are watching me. They see me working. They see me going to school. They see the long days, the homework, the responsibilities, and the determination it takes to continue even when I am tired. Although I may sometimes worry that they are only seeing what we cannot do right now, I hope they are also seeing what perseverance looks like. I want them to understand that circumstances do not have to determine the rest of your life. I want them to know that sometimes building a better future requires sacrifice, patience, and the courage to keep moving forward even when the results are not immediate. Continuing my education is about much more than earning a degree. It is about creating stability, increasing my opportunities, and becoming an example for my children. I want them to grow up knowing that education is valuable and that it is never too late to pursue your goals. When life becomes difficult for them one day, I want them to be able to look back and remember that their mother did not give up. Receiving this scholarship would help relieve some of the financial pressure that comes with being both a student and a single parent. Every dollar that does not have to come out of our household budget for educational expenses can help provide more stability for my family. It would allow me to focus more fully on completing my education without constantly having to choose between what I need as a student and what my children need at home. More importantly, this scholarship would be an investment in more than one person. By helping me continue my education, it would also help create opportunities for my children. My goal is to build a career that allows me to provide greater financial security, more experiences, and more possibilities for them. I want to reach a place where we are not always limited by what we can afford or how tightly our schedules have to be managed. There are days when balancing everything feels overwhelming. There are moments when I question whether I am doing enough. But then I remember that my children do not need a perfect mother. They need a mother who loves them enough to keep working toward something better. I may not be able to give them everything I want to give them today, but I am working to change what I will be able to give them tomorrow. This scholarship would help me continue laying that foundation. It would bring me one step closer to completing my education, advancing professionally, and creating the stability I have been working toward for my family. My hope is that one day my children will look back on this chapter of our lives and understand that every late night, every sacrifice, and every “not right now” was part of something bigger. I am building a future for myself, but I am also building one for them. And perhaps the greatest lesson I can give my children is showing them that even when life is difficult, you keep going, you keep growing, and you never stop believing that a better future is possible.

Returning to school has been both rewarding and challenging. One of the greatest challenges I have faced is balancing my education with full-time work, raising two children, volunteering, and remaining involved in my children’s school activities. Each responsibility is important to me, but managing them at the same time has required sacrifice, organization, and determination. There have been many days when I have worked a full shift, handled household responsibilities, supported my children with their needs, and then completed assignments late at night. At times, I felt exhausted and questioned whether I could successfully manage everything. I had to learn how to use my time wisely and accept that I could not always complete every task at once. To overcome this challenge, I became more structured and intentional with my schedule. I began planning my assignments in advance, prioritizing deadlines, and breaking larger projects into smaller, manageable steps. I used evenings, weekends, and quiet moments to study. I also learned to adjust my plans when unexpected situations came up, which often happens when balancing work and parenting. Another challenge I faced was overcoming self-doubt. Returning to school after time away can be intimidating. I wondered whether I would be able to keep up academically while managing my other responsibilities. My employer encouraged me to continue my education after recognizing potential in me. That support helped me believe that I was capable of growing personally and professionally. As I continued my studies, my confidence increased. Despite the demands on my time, I have maintained a 3.0 GPA. Maintaining this GPA has been an important accomplishment because it shows that my hard work, discipline, and commitment have produced results. It has also reminded me that I can succeed even when circumstances are difficult. My faith has played an important role in helping me continue. When I have felt overwhelmed or uncertain, I have relied on God for strength, guidance, and encouragement. My faith has helped me remain hopeful and focused on the reasons I returned to school. I want greater financial stability, more professional opportunities, and a better future for my family. I also want to set a positive example for my children by showing them that challenges do not have to stop them from pursuing their goals. One challenge I am still facing is an outstanding financial balance that is preventing me from continuing my education. This has been especially difficult because I am close to completing my program. If I can return and complete my remaining courses, I will be able to graduate in December 2026 or May 2027. After working so hard to reach this point, the possibility of being unable to finish because of finances is discouraging. However, my experience returning to school has taught me perseverance, patience, and resilience. I have learned that overcoming challenges does not always mean that every difficulty disappears. Sometimes, it means continuing to work toward a goal, asking for help when needed, and refusing to give up. I remain committed to completing my education and building a stronger future for myself and my children.

I am pursuing my education because I want greater financial stability and the opportunity to build a better future for my family. As a mother of two children, I understand that the choices I make today can shape their future. Completing my education is not only a personal goal, but also a step toward creating more opportunities for my children and showing them the value of perseverance. I want my children and others who may be watching my journey to see that difficult circumstances do not have to end a dream. Life can be demanding, and progress may not happen as quickly as we hope, but faith, dedication, and consistency can keep us moving forward. I want my children to understand that success is not always about having an easy path. Sometimes, it is about continuing even when the path becomes difficult. My decision to continue my education was also encouraged by my employer, who saw potential in me and believed I was capable of doing more. That encouragement helped me recognize strengths in myself that I had not fully acknowledged. It gave me the confidence to return to school and continue growing personally, academically, and professionally. Returning to school required me to move beyond my fears and doubts. I knew balancing school with my other responsibilities would be difficult. I work full time, raise two children, volunteer in my community, and remain involved in my children’s school and activities. Adding coursework required sacrifice, organization, and discipline. One of the greatest challenges I faced during school was managing academic deadlines while working full time and caring for my family. There were times when work responsibilities, assignments, household duties, and my children’s needs all demanded my attention at once. Some days left very little time for rest, and I questioned whether I could manage everything successfully. I overcame this challenge by becoming more intentional with my time. I created schedules, prioritized assignments, and broke large tasks into smaller steps. I used evenings, weekends, and quiet moments to study and complete coursework. I also learned to adjust when plans changed and to focus on consistency rather than perfection. Despite my demanding schedule, I have maintained a 3.0 GPA. This accomplishment reflects the effort, discipline, and commitment I have given to my education while continuing to work, parent, and serve my community. It has shown me that I can succeed academically even when life is challenging. My faith has also been an important source of strength. I rely on God for guidance and encouragement when I feel tired or uncertain. My faith reminds me that difficult seasons are temporary and that I must continue doing my part while trusting God with the outcome. Through this experience, I have become more patient, disciplined, and confident. At this time, however, I am facing a financial barrier that is preventing me from continuing my education. I have an outstanding balance that must be resolved before I can return to school. After working hard to reach this point, I am now at a halt. It is discouraging to be so close to completing my program and still face the possibility that I may not finish. If I am able to return to school in August and complete my remaining courses, I can graduate in December. Being this close to graduation makes this scholarship especially important to me. I have already invested significant time and effort into my education. I have completed assignments after long workdays, studied while managing family responsibilities, and remained committed during stressful periods. I do not want a financial obstacle to prevent me from finishing what I started. My children remain one of my greatest motivations. I want them to understand the value of education, responsibility, and commitment. I want them to know that it is never too late to pursue a goal and that challenges may delay a dream without destroying it. By completing my education, I will show them that perseverance can produce results even when the journey requires sacrifice. In addition to working, parenting, and attending school, I stay involved in my children’s school and community. I assist teachers, help with school trips, attend school events, and volunteer when I am able. These opportunities allow me to support my children, their classmates, and their educators. I also volunteer with food-distribution activities in the community. Helping provide food to individuals and families facing difficult circumstances is meaningful to me because I understand how important support can be during times of financial stress. Even a small act of service can remind someone that they are not alone. Another way I serve is as an assistant coach for recreational soccer. Although I am still learning in this role, I encourage the players and try to remain positive and supportive. Coaching has taught me patience, teamwork, communication, and the importance of helping others build confidence. My experiences as an employee, student, mother, volunteer, and assistant coach have helped me grow. I have learned how to manage competing priorities, remain dependable, and continue working toward a goal when challenges arise. These lessons will continue to help me as I advance professionally. Receiving this scholarship would remove the financial barrier preventing me from continuing my education. It would allow me to return to school, complete my remaining courses, and stay on track to graduate in December. This support would be an investment in a hardworking student, dedicated mother, and committed community member. Most importantly, this scholarship would allow me to finish what I started. Completing my education will strengthen my qualifications, increase my professional opportunities, and help me build greater financial stability for my family. It will also allow me to continue setting a positive example by showing that faith, dedication, and perseverance can help us overcome difficult obstacles.

Being a first-generation college student means creating a path without having a clear example to follow. No one in my immediate family had gone through the college experience, so I had to learn how to navigate registration, financial aid, academic expectations, and the many responsibilities that come with being a student. There was a learning curve, and although I was thankful to find people I could ask for help, much of the process required me to learn by doing. In 2008, I became the first person in my immediate family to earn a college degree. That accomplishment meant more to me than receiving a diploma. It proved that I could step into unfamiliar spaces, overcome uncertainty, and accomplish something new for my family. Years later, I returned to school to continue building a better future. In 2019, I had to stop because of financial hardship and a lack of family support. Now, at 40 years old, I am still pursuing my education. I work full time, attend school part time, and support myself and my two children. My journey has taken longer than I expected, but I am still moving forward. Balancing work, school, parenting, household responsibilities, and finances is often exhausting. There are days when I feel guilty because assignments limit the time and activities I can share with my children. There are also moments when I feel like quitting. I worry about failing, not having enough support, and not having everything I need to complete my education. What keeps me going is knowing that my children are watching me. I want them to see that setbacks do not mean failure and that it is never too late to pursue a dream. I want to become the guide for them that I did not have. Because of my journey, they will have someone who understands the college process and can encourage them when they face challenges of their own. My dream is to build a meaningful career in human resources, continue my education, and earn professional certifications. I have seen people feel unheard, unseen, and unappreciated in the workplace, and I have felt that way too. Those experiences motivate me to help create workplaces where employees feel respected, supported, and valued. This scholarship would help relieve the financial pressure that has already interrupted my education once. It would assist with tuition, books, fees, and other school expenses, allowing me to continue without falling further behind. Being first-generation means carrying uncertainty and hope at the same time. It means continuing even when the path is difficult. Most importantly, it means creating a road my children will not have to walk alone.

Returning to school has not been a straight path for me. I first returned to college at age 30, determined to create a better future for myself and my children. In 2019, I had to stop because of financial challenges and a lack of family support. Now, at 40 years old, I am still pursuing my education. The journey has taken longer than I imagined, but every step reflects my refusal to give up. As a single mother of two, I work full time, attend school part time, and support my household without the family support I once hoped to have. I have learned to keep moving forward little by little, even when I feel overwhelmed. An opportunity at my job sparked my interest in human resources and gave me the push to return to school. I became interested in how HR can shape the employee experience and create workplaces where people feel respected, heard, and valued. I have seen people struggle at work and feel unseen or unappreciated. I understand those feelings because I have experienced them myself. These experiences have shaped my values of perseverance, empathy, fairness, and service. They have also motivated me to pursue a career where I can support employees, improve communication, and help build healthier workplaces. My goal is to continue my education, earn professional HR certifications, and grow into a role where I can advocate for employees while also helping organizations succeed. I want to create positive change by listening, connecting people with resources, encouraging fair treatment, and helping others feel that their work and well-being matter. Balancing school, work, parenting, and finances is not easy. I often feel guilty because assignments and work responsibilities limit the time and activities I can share with my children. I sometimes worry that I am not being the “cool mom” because I cannot always do everything they want. There are also many moments when I feel like quitting. I fear failure, being unsupported, and not having everything I need to finish. Still, my children are watching me. I want them to see that success does not always happen quickly and that setbacks do not mean failure. I want them to know it is never too late to pursue a goal, change direction, or create a second chance. Debra S. Jackson’s story is meaningful to me because she showed that education can transform a life at any age. Like Debra, I am pursuing education later in life to open new career opportunities and use what I learn to help others. This scholarship would reduce the financial pressure that has already interrupted my education once. It would help cover tuition, books, and other school expenses, allowing me to remain enrolled and continue progressing toward my degree. I may be moving forward little by little, but I am still moving. At 40, I understand the value of this opportunity more than ever. I am pursuing my education to create stability for my children, build a meaningful HR career, and help make workplaces better for the people in them.

In 2019, I began recognizing how deeply depression and anxiety were affecting my life. I became withdrawn, unmotivated, and emotionally exhausted. Simple responsibilities sometimes felt overwhelming, and going places or completing everyday tasks required me to push myself much harder than others could see. I often felt isolated, afraid, and misunderstood. Mental illness does not only affect the person experiencing it. It can affect children, family members, friends, coworkers, classmates, and even people we encounter in our daily lives. My depression and anxiety can influence how I communicate, respond, connect, and show up for the people around me. At the same time, the emotional struggles of others can also affect me, especially when I am already working to manage my own mental health. This has taught me to be more aware, patient, and compassionate because we rarely know what someone else may be carrying. As a single mother of two children, I understand that my emotional health can influence my family. I must be intentional about caring for myself so that I can continue providing my children with love, stability, encouragement, and support. They are a major reason I continue to fight through difficult days, even when I feel emotionally drained or uncertain about the future. Seeking help was an important part of my journey. I began attending therapy and used counseling resources available through my school. Asking for help was not always easy, but it taught me that strength is not pretending everything is fine. Strength is recognizing when support is needed and being willing to accept it. Depression and anxiety have not disappeared from my life. There are still days when I have to force myself to get up, complete assignments, go to work, attend appointments, or leave the house. However, I have learned that progress does not always look dramatic. Sometimes progress is simply deciding not to give up. Returning to school has been one of the most meaningful decisions I have made. I work full time, attend school part time, and support myself and my two children. Because of these responsibilities, earning my degree may take longer, but I remain committed to completing it. Continuing my education represents more than earning a credential. It is proof to myself and my children that difficult circumstances do not have to determine the outcome of our lives. Financial struggles often make this journey even harder. There are moments when the cost of school, household expenses, and the responsibility of providing for my children make me question whether I can continue. During those moments, I remind myself why I returned. I want to build a more secure future for my family, grow professionally, and show my children the importance of perseverance. Receiving the Elizabeth Schalk Memorial Scholarship would help relieve the financial pressure associated with continuing my education. It would allow me to focus more fully on my coursework and move closer to completing my degree. More importantly, it would remind me that my struggle with mental illness does not make me weak or incapable. It is part of my story, but it is not the end of my story. I continue to move forward not because every day is easy, but because my goals, my children, and my future are worth fighting for. I hope my journey shows that living with depression and anxiety can be difficult, but with support, determination, compassion, and courage, it is still possible to keep growing, learning, and creating a better life.

Like many people, I was teased growing up for things that made me stand out. For me, it was the huge gap between my teeth and my thick glasses. At the time, those things felt embarrassing because they were the first things people noticed about me. I did not always feel like people saw my personality, my heart, or the person I was becoming. Sometimes it felt like they only saw what made me different. When you are young, comments from other people can stay with you longer than they realize. A joke about my teeth or my glasses may have seemed small to someone else, but to me, it made me more aware of myself. I remember wanting to hide my smile or wishing my glasses were not so noticeable. I wanted to blend in and not have attention drawn to the things I could not easily change. Those moments were awkward, but they also taught me lessons that I still carry today. As I grew older, I began to understand that what made me feel awkward did not make me less worthy or less beautiful. It simply made me unique. My gap and my glasses were part of my story, but they did not define my value. Learning that took time. Confidence did not happen overnight. It came from accepting myself little by little and realizing that I did not have to look like everyone else to have something meaningful to offer. Being teased also taught me to be more compassionate toward others. I know what it feels like to be noticed for something on the outside before being understood for who you are on the inside. Because of that, I try to be careful with my words and how I treat people. Everyone has something they may feel insecure about, even if they never say it out loud. A person’s “awkward” thing may be physical, emotional, or something they are still learning to accept. Today, I see those experiences differently. What once made me feel embarrassed has helped shape my confidence, kindness, and strength. I have learned that standing out is not always a bad thing. Sometimes the things that make us different are the very things that make us memorable. My awkward thing taught me not to shrink myself to make others comfortable. It taught me that confidence is not about being perfect; it is about accepting yourself fully. I hope to use that lesson to encourage others to embrace who they are, especially when they feel different. What once made me feel awkward has become part of the strength that helps me show up as myself.

Coming from a low-income, single-parent household taught me how to survive with less, but raising children while still facing financial hardship has taught me how much strength it takes to keep going. I understand what it feels like to grow up watching one parent carry the weight of everything. Now, as a mother, I understand that weight in a deeper way. I know what it means to make sacrifices quietly, to stretch money, to put my children’s needs before my own, and to keep pushing even when I am tired. These experiences have not broken me. They have built perseverance, compassion, and purpose in me. They have shown me that many families are doing their best with limited resources, and sometimes all they need is support, opportunity, and someone who understands what they are carrying. I am pursuing a business degree with a concentration in management and human resources because I want to create a better future for my family and help others be treated with dignity and fairness. My goal is to work in a field where I can support people, advocate for fair opportunities, and help create workplaces where employees are respected and heard. I am actively working toward my goals by returning to college, staying committed despite financial pressure, and showing my children that our circumstances do not have to define our future. I want my journey to be proof that struggle can produce strength, and that with determination, support, and education, a different life is possible.

I chose to pursue a business-related degree with a concentration in management and human resources because I know what it feels like to need support, fairness, and opportunity. My life has taught me that people do not just need jobs; they need workplaces where they are respected, heard, and given a fair chance to succeed. Human resources stood out to me because it is a field where I can use my education, my life experiences, and my heart for people to make a real difference. Returning to college as an adult has not been easy. As a single mother from a low-income background, I have had to make sacrifices, stretch resources, and keep going even when I felt tired or unsure. There have been moments when I questioned how everything would come together, especially while trying to balance school, family responsibilities, and financial pressure. But I also know why I started. I returned to school because I want more stability, more opportunity, and a better future for my family. I want to break cycles, not just survive them. I chose this career path because I have seen how important good leadership is. I have also seen how much harm can happen when people are treated unfairly, overlooked, or not given the information and support they need. Human resources gives me the opportunity to be part of the solution. I want to help employees understand their rights, grow in their roles, and feel valued. I also want to help employers build stronger, more respectful workplaces. To me, HR is not just paperwork, policies, or hiring decisions. It is about people’s livelihoods, dignity, and ability to provide for themselves and their families. Getting my degree will change my life in many ways. It will give me access to better career opportunities and a stronger foundation for financial stability. It will also give me confidence because I will know that I finished what I started, even with challenges in my way. This degree represents more than a career goal. It represents growth, perseverance, and the decision to keep believing in myself. As a mother, one of my greatest motivations is setting an example. I want my child to see that education matters, hard work matters, and it is never too late to pursue your purpose. I want my journey to show that where you come from does not have to limit where you can go. Every class I complete brings me closer to the life I am working so hard to build. Receiving this scholarship would mean more than financial help. It would relieve some of the burden that comes with trying to pay for school while managing everyday responsibilities. It would help me stay focused on my education and continue moving toward a career where I can serve others with compassion, fairness, and integrity. I chose this path because I believe my struggles have prepared me to help others. Earning this degree will not only impact my life, but also the lives of the people I hope to support, encourage, and advocate for throughout my career in human resources.

The book that has shaped me the most is the Bible. More than just a book I have read, it has been a source of guidance, strength, correction, and hope throughout different seasons of my life. As a returning college student, a mother, and a woman working to build a better future, the Bible has taught me that purpose is not limited by age, circumstances, setbacks, or where a person begins. One of the greatest lessons I have learned from the Bible is the value of perseverance. Many people in the Bible faced hardship, uncertainty, rejection, and delayed promises, yet they continued to move forward in faith. Their stories remind me that obstacles do not mean failure. They are often part of the process of becoming stronger, wiser, and more prepared for the work ahead. This lesson has encouraged me as I returned to college to study business with a concentration in management and human resources. It reminds me that even when the journey is difficult, my goals are still worth pursuing. The Bible has also taught me the importance of service. Scripture consistently shows that leadership is not about status, but about responsibility, humility, and helping others. This has influenced the kind of impact I hope to have in the world. As I pursue a career in human resources, I want to be the kind of professional who sees people as more than employees or numbers on a page. I want to help create workplaces where people are treated fairly, heard respectfully, and given opportunities to grow. The Bible’s teachings on compassion, justice, and integrity have shaped the way I think about leadership and the responsibility I have to others. Another lesson I have learned is the power of legacy. The story of Aaron and Ruby Dicks is meaningful to me because it reflects hard work, sacrifice, education, and determination. Even when they faced injustice and loss, they continued building something that would benefit their family and community. In the same way, the Bible teaches that what we do can impact generations after us. This inspires me to keep going, not only for myself, but for my child and for others who may be encouraged by my journey. Reading the Bible has affected the impact I hope to have on the world by helping me understand that my life should be used with purpose. I want to be a positive example of faith, resilience, and determination. I want to show that it is possible to return to school, overcome financial challenges, and continue building a meaningful future. I also want to use my education to serve others with wisdom, fairness, and compassion. Through the Bible, I have learned that true success is not only measured by personal achievement, but by the lives we touch along the way. My hope is to make an impact by leading with integrity, encouraging others, and helping create opportunities for people to succeed. Just as Aaron and Ruby Dicks left a legacy through their work, perseverance, and commitment to family, I hope to build a legacy rooted in faith, service, and positive change.

At thirty-nine years old, sitting in a routine performance review, I expected feedback about deadlines and productivity. Instead, my supervisor said something that shifted me. He told me he had been watching how I handled conflict, how I protected confidentiality, how I balanced policy with compassion, and how people naturally came to me when they needed guidance. Then he asked, “Have you ever considered Human Resources?” That moment planted a seed, but it was my children who gave me the courage to water it. As a mother of two, I constantly encourage them to stretch, to study harder, to push beyond what feels comfortable. One evening, while helping with homework after a long workday, I realized something uncomfortable: I was challenging them to grow while I was hesitating to grow myself. I was teaching perseverance, but I was not modeling reinvention. That realization stayed with me. The courage to go back to school came from two places: being seen and being needed. Being seen by my supervisor gave me clarity. He recognized strengths in me that aligned perfectly with Human Resources, advocacy, organization, discernment, and care for people. I realized that what I had treated as “just doing my job well” was actually evidence of a calling toward a second career. I did not want to remain in roles adjacent to impact; I wanted to be properly equipped for it. But being needed by my children gave me the courage to act. Going back to school at this stage of life is not convenient. It means studying employment law after full workdays. It means balancing assignments with household responsibilities. It means accepting that exhaustion will visit, but quitting cannot. My children watch me read textbooks at the kitchen table. They see me preparing for exams. They hear me talk about long-term goals. And in those quiet observations, I know I am teaching them something far greater than academics. I am teaching them that growth does not have an age limit. There are certainly moments of doubt. I questioned whether I was starting too late or adding too much to an already full life. But then I thought about the alternative, remaining comfortable, staying in the same professional space, and wondering “what if” ten years from now. That felt heavier than the workload. Human Resources is more than a career change for me. It is alignment with how I naturally operate, protecting fairness, ensuring compliance, and creating environments where people are treated with dignity. I want to contribute to workplaces where leadership is ethical and employees feel valued. I want to advocate for working parents and women who often feel unseen. The courage to return to school did not come from having fewer responsibilities. It came because of them. My children are my daily reminder that settling is not an option. Their future pushes me to secure mine. Their potential challenges me to maximize my own. I went back to school because I refuse to let fear define my ceiling. I went back because my children deserve to see bravery in motion. And I went back because when opportunity met conviction, courage followed.