During the fall of 2023, as a freshman in college, I faced one of the darkest periods of my life. Transitioning to a new environment, juggling academic demands, and navigating social pressures left me feeling isolated and overwhelmed. Depression consumed me, and I struggled to find hope. However, my faith in God became my anchor, guiding me through the storm and ultimately saving my life. In the weeks leading up to my lowest point, I often questioned my purpose. The relentless cycle of self-doubt and anxiety made it difficult to reach out for help. One night, I came dangerously close to giving up. Alone in my dorm room, thoughts of ending my life overwhelmed me. Yet, in that darkest moment, a small voice within whispered, “You are not alone.” That whisper made me pause. I remembered the faith I had grown up with and the times I had turned to God in moments of uncertainty. Though I felt abandoned, I realized God was still with me. I knelt down and prayed, tears streaming down my face. I didn’t have the words to explain my pain, so I simply asked God for strength. In that raw moment, I felt a sense of warmth and comfort, as though a weight had been lifted. It wasn’t an instant solution, but it was a step toward healing. In the following weeks, I leaned into my faith. I started connecting more with the women on campus who shared in my beliefs, and I was welcomed with open arms. Their kindness and understanding reminded me of the power of fellowship. Hearing others share their struggles helped me realize I wasn’t alone and that healing was possible. I also turned to scripture for solace. Verses like Psalm 34:18, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit,” resonated deeply with me. These words gave me strength and reminded me that God was present, even in my weakest moments. I began journaling my thoughts and prayers, pouring out my fears and hopes onto the pages. This practice helped me process my emotions and reconnect with my purpose. Therapy and counseling were continue to be essential in my recovery. I believe God guided me to the right resources and people who could help. My counselor encouraged mindfulness and gratitude, which I incorporated alongside prayer and meditation. One of the most significant lessons I learned was the importance of surrendering my burdens to God. I had spent so much time trying to carry everything alone, believing I had to be strong enough. Through my faith, I discovered that true strength comes from trusting God to share the load. Matthew 11:28-30 became my mantra: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” By the end of my freshman year, I emerged from the depths of depression with a renewed sense of hope and purpose. My faith in God not only saved my life but transformed it. I learned to rely on Him in times of struggle and trust in His plan, even when the path seemed unclear. While the journey was not easy, it strengthened my relationship with God and deepened my appreciation for life. Reflecting on that challenging season, I am filled with gratitude. My faith became a beacon of light, reminding me that even in pain, there is hope. For that, I am forever thankful.

I owe everything to my mother. Growing up, she was my rock, my support system, and my biggest cheerleader. Despite being a single mother and facing numerous challenges, she has always put my education first and encouraged me to reach for the stars. I cannot express my gratitude enough for all that she has done to help me achieve my educational goals. My mother has always been a strong and independent woman, but when she became a single mother, she had to be even stronger. She worked tirelessly to provide for our family, often juggling multiple jobs and even starting her own business to make sure she was not only able to provide for our family but to also teach me about entrepreneurship. Despite the long hours and little time for herself, she always made sure I had everything I needed to succeed. When I was in elementary school, my mother took me to the library every week to pick out new books to read. She would read to me at night and encouraged me to read on my own. This love of reading ignited a passion for learning that has stayed with me to this day. My mother instilled in me the importance of education and taught me that knowledge is power. As I grew older and entered high school, my mother continued to support me in every way she could. She would attend all my school events, from parent-teacher conferences to theater shows games, and academic competitions. She was always there to offer advice and encouragement, even when I was struggling with difficult classes or feeling discouraged. One of the biggest challenges we faced as a family was financial insecurity. My mother worked tirelessly to provide for us, but there were times when we struggled to make ends meet. Despite this, my mother always made sure that we had what we needed for school. She would save money to buy school supplies and textbooks, and she would drive me to and from school every day to save money on transportation costs. Thanks to my mother's unwavering support, I was able to graduate from high school with honors and pursue my dream of attending college. When I told my mother that I wanted to pursue a bachelor's degree, she was overjoyed. She knew how much this meant to me, and she was determined to help me achieve my goal. Together, we researched colleges and universities that offered the degree program I was interested in. We filled out countless scholarship applications and visited campus after campus until we found the perfect fit. When it was time to apply, my mother helped me with every step of the process, from filling out the application to writing my personal statement. When I received my acceptance letter, my mother was the first person I called. She cried tears of joy and hugged me tightly. I knew then that all of our hard work had paid off. I was going to college, and it was all thanks to my mother's unwavering support. As I prepare to begin my college journey, I am filled with gratitude for my mother. Without her love, support, and encouragement, I would not be where I am today. She has taught me the importance of hard work, dedication, and resilience, and I know that these values will serve me well as I pursue my educational and career goals.