It Takes An Aggie Village Scholarship

I completed one full semester of my undergraduate journey the fall of 2021 at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University before returning to school and conceiving my first child at the age of 18 at a time of deep depression. I am a first generation college student majoring in Psychology who had countless dreams about my future that never included a child at such a young age. Due to pregnancy symptoms, the common energy loss, sickness, and moodiness I eventually stopped going to certain classes, could care less about studying, I lost friends, and I was then diagnosed with antepartum depression. I always saw myself as the "rich auntie" who would one day get my PsyD then eventually have kids but there were other plans in store for me. It took many long sleepless nights and many days full of crying to think long and hard about the new reality I would be facing. I decided that I would continue with school and show my son that anything is possible. After my last semester I endured while pregnant, I ended on the Chancellor's list despite all the doubt I had about myself. I returned home with a goal of graduating a semester early and the work began soon after, I started summer courses receiving an A in each of them and still managed to serve my community through my nonprofit organization, Project Hygiene Haul. Many people see teen pregnancy as a handicap, but I see it as my motivation to wake up and be a better me every single day. As I await the arrival of my baby boy, Bryson in October 2022, it pushes me to be a better student so he will not have to be a first generation college student or live a life in poverty. If selected, I will advocate for the mental and financial wellbeing of expecting and parenting student at all HBCUs. I will find resources available that will help those find adequate financial help whether that is WIC, Welfare, or scholarships to pay for school. As a Psychology student, I have become a big mental health advocate and I will graciously share my story with all the parents and use it as a reassurance for them to know that they are okay, this is not the end of your story. Being able to be apart of someone else's support system will make winning this scholarship 100% worth it.

Wow! What can I say about being a parent and being a student? Interesting enough, I am amongst the 16.1% of single fathers in the United States of America. My son, Christopher has been a major driving force for me to return to NC A&T and complete my bachelors degree. I have a desire for my son to see excellence, and not just hear about it. One of the greatest things I have ever heard my son say is, "Daddy, I'm proud of you." I learned early on in parenting that I am not able to preach education to my son without first partaking in my own sermon. As a student parent, it is sometimes difficult to juggle everyday life, work life, and parenting. However, I have learned to depend on my village for support. Christopher's life is not interrupted due to my education, because of those around me who fully support me on my journey. They enable me to study without interruption, and still be able to attend sporting events for my son. My village has been the support system that has made this education journey possible. When I think of an advocate, I think of someone who is the voice for others. As an advocate for both pregnant students and parenting students, it is imperative that the University understand our needs and strive to meet those needs. There should be parenting classes offered on campus, and prenatal services offered. Being a parent is hard work, and it is important that our villages provide us with support. As an advocate, it would be my responsibility to ensure every pregnant and parenting student is heard, and that there are no unanswered concerns. There may be times a parent has to bring their child to class, as an advocate, my responsibility would be ensuring that professors understand that even parents want to be successful. I am a successful parenting student because my village has surrounded me and upheld me while I parent, and study. This is important to all pregnant and parenting students, it is imperative that the university is aware of this and that everything possible is provided to us so that we are successful in creating positive education examples to our children. The ultimate goal of any parent is to create a positive example. May 13, 2022, I was able to see the joy in my son's eyes as I walked across the stage and received my Associate in Arts degree from Fayetteville Technical Community College. I can only imagine the joy he will show when I complete my Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness and Food Industry Management. I am because of my village and my son is because of my village.