I am the eldest daughter. The first out of four children, in an Indonesian with Yemeni background household. With both of my parents being immigrants and none having gone to college, I am the beacon of hope and progress for my family. Attending college would mean navigating uncharted territory and breaking educational barriers. But being the first one to take this step, I am determined to pursue higher education and enrich not only my own life but create opportunities for my family as well. I love being an older sister to my siblings and first-born daughter to my parents. My siblings look up to me and learn from my mistakes. I ensure not to repeat my own mistakes and prevent them from making the same. My parents have given me everything they possibly could, and I intend to repay their love by succeeding in college to make a better future. Winning this scholarship will not be just a one-time financial relief; instead, it will be an investment in my long-term success. While yes, it will immediately serve as an alleviation of extra financial burdens I may have, it will further serve as a gateway, unlocking doors to education and professional development apart of my future. Pursuing higher education is a costly endeavor, but that is to be expected as it will contribute to my overall personal and professional growth. I will be granted the opportunity to wholeheartedly focus on my studies as I go through my academic journey without the constant worry of any economic constraints. The skills, knowledge, and experiences I will gain will support me in contributing to creating my professional reputation. Attaining all that is needed of me in my desired field will make me a more competitive candidate in the job market. Already having experience in the working field, I understand how much employers value dedication and perseverance in their employees. These very traits can be exemplified in someone like myself, as I have instilled a sense of responsibility and commitment to my work ethic. Wanting to excel in a competitive environment I want my efforts to be awarded with recognition of my dedicated potential. I wouldn't want any potential opportunities to be limited in my access to them because of any financial means. Instead, I'd like to work hard enough to give back to those who aspire for the same chances I could earn. I want to pave the way and set the example for so many, like my younger siblings. Or for those in the same position as me: the first in their family to pursue higher education. With this potential success, I can envision myself to be confident, happy, secure, and, not to forget, debt-free, which wouldn't be too bad either when thinking of my future. Overall, I believe I have a chance to thrive in my future career and can contribute to making that dream a reality, starting now.

Being a first-generation college graduate will symbolize not only my individual achievement but also become a beacon of hope and progress for my family. As the firstborn in an immigrant household, I have my parents and siblings to take care of. Attending college would mean navigating uncharted territory and breaking educational barriers as both my parents have never attended college. However, I am determined to be the one in my family to take this first step and pursue higher education to enrich not only my own life but create opportunities for my family as well. I love being an older sister to my siblings, and first-born daughter to my parents. My siblings look up to me and learn from my mistakes. I ensure to not repeat my own mistakes and prevent them from making the same. My parents have given me everything they possibly could, and I intend to repay their love by succeeding in college to make a better future. During my years in high school, I have actively participated in various extracurriculars which have contributed to the person I've become beyond the academic realm. As a member of both the World Language Honors Society and the Rho Kappa Honors Society, I've dedicated myself to participating in volunteering and community service opportunities. Last year, I participated in our Operation Christmas Child service where I assembled two boxes filled with toys, school supplies, and personal care items for children in need. Even though I don't celebrate this particular holiday, I believe no child should be in a state other than happiness or excitement on a day that is meant to bring them joy. It may be my instinct as an older sister, but I cannot bear to leave children empty-handed when there is something I can do to help. Whether that something is small in the act, I know it will go a long way and mean so much more to that person. Along with my experience as a firstborn, it has influenced my decision to be a part of the Education and Human Services program at my high school. While I have not decided to continue this career path in college, I don't regret being a part of the program. Almost every service I've done in high school has been catered to my fondness of children. As a member of my school's Book Club, I've helped donate children's books to the African Library Project Book Drive, which resulted in my school being recognized as a 2022 Global Literacy Champion by the organization. In fact, because of my love for reading, I wanted to inspire another child to begin their journey of reading by gifting my childhood "Dork Diaries" series that I've collected over the years. Additionally, with my interest in crocheting, I've crocheted multiple 7 x 9 yarn squares that were to be donated to the Warm Up America! Foundation to be combined into multiple afghans to give out to those who need extra care and help and staying warm during the cold seasons. Of course, I've been involved in so many extracurriculars in and out of school, that I realize just how much they've contributed in shaping who I've become today. These experiences have fostered a sense of community, instilled leadership skills, and deepened my commitment to making a positive impact. They are not just activities, but threads in the tapestry of my journey. They emphasize who I've become beyond my academics and who I will continue to be in the next chapter of my life.

Elle Woods, the main character in the popular romantic comedy movie "Legally Blonde," single-handedly demonstrated what a beautiful, brilliant-minded woman can do. Her radiating positivity and motivation allowed her to remain true to herself while excelling in a rigorous academic environment. I realized I wanted to achieve the same level of success in my own career as she poured in hard work to get to hers. I've always prided myself in my intelligence, and so that wasn't the issue when it came to the limits that presented themselves. It wasn't hard to pinpoint that the only difference between me and this iconic character was our financial status. While she seemed to be fairly comfortable with her wealth, I am living in a reality of the working class. Winning this scholarship will not be just a one-time financial relief; instead, it will be an investment in my long-term success. While yes it will immediately serve as an alleviation of extra financial burdens I may have, it will further serve as a gateway, unlocking doors to education and professional development apart of my future. Pursuing higher education is a costly endeavor, but that is to be expected as it will contribute to my overall personal and professional growth. I will be granted the opportunity to wholeheartedly focus on my studies as I go through my academic journey without the constant worry of any economic constraints. The skills, knowledge, and experiences I will gain will support me in contributing to creating my professional reputation. Attaining all that is needed of me in my desired field will make me a more competitive candidate in the job market. Already having experience in the working field, I understand how much employers value dedication and perseverance in their employees. These very traits can be exemplified in someone like myself, as I have instilled a sense of responsibility and commitment to my work ethic. Wanting to excel in a competitive environment, much like Elle Woods demonstrated, I want my efforts to be awarded with recognition of my dedicated potential. I wouldn't want any potential opportunities to be limited in my access to them because of any financial means. Instead, I'd like to work hard enough to give back to those who aspire for the same chances I could earn. As well as inspire countless others, just as the character of Elle Woods did with me, and pay it all forward.