The joyful sound of laughter resonates in the community center as I arrange another food drive, seeing families depart with bags filled with fresh produce and necessary supplies. Observing the instant impact of my efforts fuels my passion for assisting others and reinforces my belief that small actions can result in major change. Whether helping at my mosque’s food pantry or leading initiatives such as the 'Stop the Hunger 10,000 Can Food Drive,' I strive to positively impact the community by addressing food insecurity and fostering a spirit of generosity among my peers. My dedication to creating an impact goes further than just food distribution. As a high school senior, I participate in student government, cheerleading, and mentoring programs that aid younger students. I have witnessed with my own eyes the change that can occur when you have someone who believed in you. As a role model, my goal is to motivate others to pursue leadership roles and recognize their capacity to impact their communities positively. So often we are told by society what we are not capable of instead of what we are able to do. But look at what society sees as normal in a more positive light. Many believe that social norms highlight the significance of personal achievement, yet I dispute this notion by advocating for communal advancement and making certain that everyone is included. The impact of current societal norms also affects my view on empowerment. Numerous young individuals are instructed to concentrate only on their own accomplishments, yet I think genuine success arises from supporting others. Through my commitment to community service and education, I strive for a future where accessibility and opportunity are not constrained by backgrounds or situations. I aim to maintain this influence while advancing my career in real estate, making homeownership accessible for everyone and providing marginalized communities with the resources to create generational wealth. In the future, I envision myself broadening my efforts to a greater extent. I imagine developing initiatives that offer financial literacy training, guidance, and support for marginalized communities. Society frequently imposes limits on the accomplishments of young leaders, yet I will not allow those constraints to define who I am. The existing social environment offers both difficulties and chances, and I am resolved to utilize my talents and voice to overcome obstacles and foster significant change. My journey is only starting, yet I understand that each step I take moves me nearer to a future where equity and empowerment become not merely ideals, but actualities.

Having grown up in urban Chicago as the middle child of a single mother, I encountered many challenges that have molded me into the persistent and strong individual I am now. My mother devoted herself to supporting me, my twin brother, and my older sister, often balancing several jobs while striving for homeownership. Observing her determination in the face of financial difficulties motivated my robust ethic and ambition to enhance my community via real estate and financial literacy. One of the biggest challenges my family has encountered is financial insecurity. My mother's path to owning a home was challenging. She faced systemic obstacles, financial difficulties, and restricted access to resources. In spite of these challenges, she stayed dedicated to obtaining a secure home for us. Her experience revealed to me the realities of economic difficulties and the challenges that numerous families encounter in securing homeownership. This inspired me to seek higher education and to commit my career to assisting marginalized individuals in attaining economic stability through real estate. In addition to financial difficulties, I have also had to manage academics, extracurriculars, and employment. I have participated in student government, cheerleading, and different volunteer groups, such as Feed My Starving Children, Young Scholars, and the Archonettes. Moreover, I act as the pantry coordinator at the food pantry in my mosque, overseeing food distribution for families requiring assistance. I also assisted in leading the 'Stop the Hunger 10,000 Can Food Drive,' a campaign that gathered 10,000 cans within three months to assist 1,000 families in Chicago. These experiences have not only enhanced my leadership abilities but have also intensified my dedication to community service. Still, pursuing a higher education remains a financial strain. I plan to attend Morgan State University in the fall. Although my mother has made significant efforts to assist us, the costs associated with tuition, housing, and educational materials are still over $35,000 annually. This scholarship would ease the financial burden on my family and enable me to concentrate on my studies. With this assistance, I can specialize in business and have a minor in finance. This will provide me with the skills and understanding required to become a real estate broker who helps others attain financial freedom and own homes. Obtaining this scholarship would aid me in reaching my academic and career objectives. It will also allow me to provide valuable contributions to my community. I am dedicated to utilizing my knowledge to enable homeownership for groups that have been historically marginalized. I also aim to foster chances for financial understanding and security. This scholarship supports my education and also benefits the many families I intend to assist in the future.

From a young age I quickly learned the significance of determination, dedication, and assisting others. As a child of a single mother in urban Chicago, I witnessed my mother's hard path to owning a home. This was a significant event in my life as it highlighted the challenges that various families face in obtaining stable housing. This motivated me to seek a career in real estate and financial literacy. My goal is to work to assist families similar to mine in managing the complicated journey of buying a home and disrupting the pattern of housing uncertainty. Outside of my family life, community service has consistently been an essential aspect of my identity. In my role as the pantry coordinator for my mosque's food pantry, I assist in making sure that food is stored correctly and given out to individuals in need. An important initiative I helped start was the "Stop the Hunger 10,000 Can Food Drive," which focused on gathering and distributing 10,000 cans in three months. Our goal was to assist families in underprivileged areas of Chicago who live in food deserts have access to viable food options. Witnessing the effects of this initiative intensified my enthusiasm for community service and led me to understand that helping others is not merely a duty. It is a responsibility. Alongside my role at the food pantry, I serve as a tutor for Universal Young Scholars, assisting younger students in building solid academic foundations. I am convinced that education is among the most effective means to disrupt the cycles of poverty. I aspire to keep supporting students who, similar to myself, originate from difficult backgrounds yet refuse to allow their circumstances to determine their identity. Although my present initiatives concentrate on food security and education, my upcoming projects will seek to improve housing accessibility. Upon graduating, I intend to leverage my degree in business and finance to establish a career as a real estate broker, focusing on assisting families in urban areas who believe owning a home is unattainable. My aim is to connect financial education with real estate, making sure that families are not just purchasing homes but also creating generational wealth. I plan to develop community initiatives that offer workshops on home buying, credit assistance, and resources for effective financial planning, aiding individuals in grasping the importance of financial security. Ongoing participation in the community is something I truly value. I regard my volunteer work not merely as an extracurricular activity, but as a commitment for life. Through mentorship, financial literacy, or supporting real estate initiatives, I will continually commit myself to enhancing my community. I am dedicated to being a resource, a leader, and a driving force for change for those who require it the most.

Growing up in urban Chicago with a single mother, I faced the difficulties of financial uncertainty, especially in securing stable housing. This experience influenced my desire to become a real estate broker, focusing on assisting people from underrepresented communities attain homeownership. I aim to provide those who think homeownership is unattainable with the guidance and assistance needed to manage the process. With a background in business administration and a minor in finance, I aim to connect historically underserved communities with financial literacy, ultimately enabling families to create generational wealth. Aside from my studies, I have consistently engaged in community service activities. In my role as the pantry coordinator at the food pantry of my mosque, I manage the distribution and storage of food, making sure that countless families can obtain meals. Furthermore, I helped spearhead the "Stop the Hunger 10,000 Can Food Drive," a project designed to gather and distribute 10,000 cans over three months to support 1,000 families in Chicago. These encounters strengthened my conviction that true change occurs via service, and I am dedicated to pursuing this effort throughout my professional journey. The journey to my present state has not been simple. Obstacles have consistently existed in my life, but they have also acted as my greatest source of motivation. Being raised in a single-parent household, financial struggles were frequent, and stability was consistently unpredictable. Observing my mother deal with the challenging journey of homeownership made me aware of the obstacles that numerous families encounter while seeking stable housing. Sometimes, I felt helpless seeing her fight, yet rather than allowing it to dishearten me, I transformed it into motivation to learn about financial literacy and real estate. Another significant challenge I encountered was managing academics, sports, and community service. Being a cheerleader and member of the student council, I quickly understood the significance of discipline and time management. There were evenings when I returned home tired from practice yet still needed to finish assignments or get ready for tutoring sessions as part of my volunteer efforts with Young Scholars. Instead of perceiving this as a barrier, I regarded it as training for the difficulties I would encounter in my future profession, where juggling various tasks and remaining dedicated to my objectives would be crucial. I tackled these obstacles by maintaining focus on my goal. I sought mentors, including the realtor who assisted my mother in buying her first home, who offered me advice and knowledge about the real estate sector. I also relied on my community, family, coach, and teachers, who motivated me to continue striving ahead even when circumstances felt daunting. Looking forward, I am eager to pursue my degree in business and finance, aiming to assist families in attaining homeownership and achieving financial stability. My experiences have shown that education, service, and determination are essential for making a significant difference. No matter how difficult the path may be, I am committed to overcoming the challenges and creating chances for others.

My freshman year of high school taught me something I will never forget. The memory of failing, yet overcoming that failure. I enthusiastically tried out for the cheerleading team just to be told that I did not have what it took to be on the team. I was crushed, but I knew that it was not the end of my journey, but the beginning of who I will become. The agony of not making the team was indescribable. Cheerleading had always been one of the things I envisioned myself doing throughout high school. I sat and watched cheer competitions with my mother, who was a cheerleader in her days, when I was younger. For years, I had dreamed about performing on the mat and helping get the crowd hyped at the big game. Yet it was not my turn. It was really tough to see people being chosen for the team while I was standing on the sidelines. I promised myself that this failure would not define me. I decided I needed to improve my techniques and try to come back hard. I reached out to some of the upperclassmen who got selected for the team to get their guidance. It was kind of intimidating because they were so talented and confident, and I felt far from their level. Instead of being competition for them, they welcomed me and helped me grow. I worked through spring and summer with them, working on jumps, stunts, and routines, perfecting my techniques. Not only did they teach me skills, but they also told me their stories of overcoming and taught me that even the best cheerleaders fall. But they got up. That summer changed everything. I learned the value of hard work, discipline, and the importance of leaning on others for support. By the time tryouts came around again, I was prepared in a way I had never been before. When my name was finally called for the team, it was more than just a moment of personal triumph, it was proof that my resilience paid off. Now I inspire others as a member of the team using my story. Tryouts can be scary, and it is common to see a person giving up when things do not happen their way. I always try to identify those individuals and involve myself and share my story. I remind them that not making the team is not the end of the journey, but rather an opportunity to grow. I offer to help them with their techniques much as the older girls once did for me. The fire in their eyes, determination in their faces, and improvement reminds me of how much I love cheerleading. It's not just about the routines, it's about a bond, the support we give to one another. In my three years as a varsity cheerleader, I have mentored five underclassmen, helping them refine their skills, build their confidence and strengthen their abilities. Outside their improvement on the cheer mat, I have seen their self-assurance, teamwork and resilience grow. This has been very rewarding. My experience has taught me that setbacks are merely stepping stones toward success. The work I invested in reaching my goal did not just help me make it onto the team, but gave me confidence towards other life challenges. And the best part is being able to share that lesson with others and inspire them to believe in themselves and keep pushing forward. Resilience is contagious, and I am proud to pass it on.

More than a career path, the journey of helping marginalized individuals make the dream of homeownership a reality is my purpose. I have seen personally how hard it is to navigate through the urban housing market for families like mine. The miseducation, lack of resources and programs as well as the fear of being the first to own a home in your family are all barriers that needed to be overcome. However my parents were able to persevere. That is when things started to turn around for my family when my parents bought their first house with the help of a realtor who eventually became my mentor. What that experience instilled in me was my passion for real estate, and the need to help change lives starting with those closest to me. Central to my life has been the relationships that I have established, first my family: I was raised with parents that have nurtured me at every turn, teaching me to endure and be empathetic toward others in service. It is the strong will of my mother combined with the work ethic instilled by my father that have molded my character and the professional I wish to become. They furthered this by showing me that success is not solely decided by the amount of wealth one has accumulated but how much one would go out of their way to uplift others around them. This is a principle that I have lived by in all my endeavors. My twin brother and older sister have been my closest confidants. They have stood by me through thick and thin, always urging me to aim higher even when I had doubts about my own abilities. My twin brother, in particular, has shared my dreams and challenges and has provided a balance in perspective many times. Another source through which wisdom emanates is my older sister, helping me see the greater part of a situation when things are difficult. She inspires me to keep going when the road seems impossible. My siblings and I have developed a bond that has been of trust and love, which will go with me in any relationship I enter into throughout my life. As I ponder what I wish to achieve, my career will be defined by the lives touched as a result of my work as a real estate broker. Helping marginalized people, especially people from communities like mine, achieve homeownership is my biggest dream. I want to be able to create pathways for families who may feel that homeownership is out of reach and provide guidance and support through the process. Knowing I have helped someone secure a home that provides stability and creates generational wealth will be my greatest professional accomplishment. I also want to use my platform to mentor others much like my mentor did for my family. Teaching future real estate professionals about empathy, equity, and service will be just as important to my success. I hope to encourage a new generation of brokers who are motivated by wanting to serve people instead of just by money. In all, the positive impact I plan to leave will be from all those moments I lived in my values, nurtured the most precious relationship in my life, and being a force for positive change in the world. My parents, twin brother, and older sister, will be at the center of such a journey, and their support will be the bedrock on which I do all that I will ever achieve.

A hot topic of discussion, especially among people of my age group, is mental health and the prevention of suicide. High School is supposed to be a blast, an exciting period filled with self-discovery and new openings, but teens place a tremendous amount of pressure on themselves: academic expectations, social expectations, personal troubles, and day-to-day anxiety not to mention the continuous contact with social networks. This is why it is so important for us to speak openly about mental health and work to prevent tragedies like suicide. As a varsity cheerleader, mental health has played a major role in shaping my outlook, the manner in which I interact with others and my future goals, and aspirations. Cheerleading is a very energetic and team-based activity, so oftentimes people believe that cheerleaders are always happy and spirited. Despite the fact that I do love my role and the bond that I share with my team, I've learned that even the most confident seeming people struggle with their mental health including myself. On a daily basis I have to navigate the manner in which school, cheerleading, family, and my own expectations have to be balanced. Some moments are so overwhelming that I just do not want to be a burden to anybody. I will often retreat into my thoughts. Throughout these times, I thought the world would be far less miserable without me and wanted to let go. However, thankfully I have had people around me who recognized that I was retreating into myself. They helped me to see the importance of having a good support system and of taking care of myself. Talking to friends, journaling, and even asking a trusted adult for advice have helped me try to lower some of my stressors. My own experiences have aided me in being more empathetic toward others. I have learned that you never know what someone is going through, so it is important to be kind and understanding. My experiences with mental health have influenced my career goals in real estate development a lot. I noticed that when I was at my lowest my home served as solace for me. A place that provided comfort where I could breath. As a result, I would like to create communities that are safe, inclusive, and healthy. My hope is that by designing spaces that foster connection and security, there will be a transformation where everyone feels valued at home. In conclusion, mental health and suicide prevention are very important conversations that we must pay attention to. From the experience, support, empathy, and making space for people where they feel valued and safe have been of immense importance. Through this journey, I want to be able to develop communities that are sanctuaries safe, inclusive, and nurturing environments where all can find comfort, connection, and peace. Together, we can create a world that takes care of its mental health and where lives are changed for the better.

Growing up in Chicago, I have both witnessed the beauty and struggles of my urban community. I have seen the struggles to bring affordable housing to our community, having watched families fight to own a home through often insurmountable barriers. My mom, a single parent, raised my twin brother, older sister, and me all by herself, working tirelessly just to put food on the table and provide us with the essentials. The efforts were not easy, but she always inculcated two important values in me: faith in God and education. Her relentless struggle has not only inspired me; it has instilled a sense of direction within me that shapes my motivation today. The most influential person in my life has been my mom. By just watching her work hard and give up so much for our future, I learned the power of resilience. Through making education paramount, she shaped my view on learning as a lifelong quest. She would remind me that education means more than academics. It is the solid foundation from which we build the future. This conviction has inspired me to challenge myself. In cheerleading and student council, for example, through which I have had many opportunities to develop my leadership and collaborative teamwork. These experiences have solidified my commitments to community focused work and further catalyzed my drive to effect positive impacts within real estate. I am particularly interested in commercial real estate for the purposes of assisting underprivileged communities in bringing their goals of homeownership and fiscal security to fruition. My intention is to major in finance so that I may gain the tools and knowledge that would assist me in making a meaningful impact. What really attracts me to commercial real estate is the unique opportunity for lasting change: to revitalize neighborhoods, create needed affordable housing options, and provide opportunities for business growth. I think I like that it is not about buildings; instead, it is about all the people in those buildings and their lives. It is the prospect of building an even better, more supportive community. This scholarship would be a huge step toward achieving my long-term goals in the commercial real estate business. It would provide me with resources and opportunities I might otherwise not have, such as special coursework, networking experiences, and internships, which would provide a deeper understanding of the field in question. This would relieve some financial burden from college and let me focus on academics with the freedom to explore real estate projects or internships. This would give me practical experience to complement my studies. A good financial foundation would allow me to make the most of college. Later in life, I will use my finance major to make my way through commercial real estate, focusing on projects that are strictly sustainable and thus benefit communities. I want to develop more affordable housing, support small businesses, and work with community leaders in their own design for the revitalizing of spaces without displacing communities. With those concepts in mind, I would like to build a real estate company where I can work for policies and projects placing people over profit and act as a mentor to students from similar backgrounds and ambitions as myself. My mother, my experiences, everything points to the same thing: support from community members and available resources bring transformation. This scholarship only furthers me in that process toward being able to make that transformation for others through a career in commercial real estate. I am ready to act on my dreams while building a better, more equitable future for my community.

Growing up, I lived in an urban neighborhood in Chicago, I've seen a lot that has shaped my person today. My mom, having to work tirelessly just to keep food on the table, raised my twin brother, my older sister, and me by herself. And through all the trials we had, she would always manage to remind us that Allah and education was the key. I found her determination to be contagious, further pushing me to do my best both in academics and other extra-curricular activities such as cheerleading. Cheer is one way through which I have developed the spirit of teamwork, persistence, and leadership-all very instrumental in my personal development. Cheerleading has taught me the value of community and support. We all come from different walks of life, but once we hit the field, our mission is a shared one. This indeed has influenced my educational journey to a large extent. I have realized through these experiences how mentorship and encouragement give one's potential to an individual. I have had the opportunity in school with occasions of leadership over my peers, such as being a captain among cheerleaders or participating in events of the student council. By setting a fantastic example for others, I feel I can inspire many to work hard and move toward their dreams. I plan to major in business and minor in finance while attending college. If God wills, I hope to pursue a career as a real estate broker in order to facilitate homeownership in marginalized communities. Growing up, I watched my mom struggle to buy her first home, which convinced me to become an ally for others facing the same struggles. I want to make sure that the generations after me have as much opportunity and support as I have. Later in life, I look forward to paying it back through involvement in community service and a mentorship program. I hope to work with students in my community by sharing options and guiding them through their educational process. Whether through tutoring or teaching workshops on financial literacy and home ownership, I believe it is important that youth be given the necessary tools to succeed. Moreover, I would like to create a scholarship for students who come from urban cities just like mine. I have firsthand knowledge of how financial burdens can pull one back in higher education. I will eventually want to lighten that burden for other students so that they can focus on academics and extracurricular activities without having to keep thinking about finance problems. The need to care while growing up has instilled in me a deep sense of responsibility that it is now time to give back. I did come to realize later that success was not solely one's personal achievement; it was really about lifting others along the way. I would like to inspire future generations to believe in themselves as my mom did for me. Throughout my years as a cheerleader, the one thing that never changed in my life was this: I was able to believe in encouragement and support. And I carry such belief to where my future may take me. Let us together create a better community-a place where all people will have the opportunity to thrive-and a community I am eager to be part of.

Growing up in Chicago with my twin brother and older sister quickened my appreciation for family, faith, and resilience. Our mom-instituted single parenting into us-strong Islamic values that taught the importance of kindness, determination, and community support. She would always reiterate that education was key to remind us that through knowledge and hard work, much can be lent to create a brighter future. This upbringing has influenced my life and studies by wanting to excel in school and participate actively in my community. My mother instilled in me values that have provided a sense of direction and vision toward my life. I see myself as a real estate broker focused on helping underserved community families achieve homeownership. My childhood experience of watching my mother try to find stable housing ignited a fire in me to create a way for others to have security and opportunity in a place that they could finally call home. My ambition is to obtain a college degree in business with a minor in finance, in order to prepare myself with the knowledge and skills necessary for realizing change in my community. Paying it forward means a lot to me. I do want to make homeownership more possible; I also want to try to set things in place for the next generation. I would like to establish mentorship programs for students in their early years, especially those with a background similar to mine. I want to provide guidance to these students in areas like goal setting, college applications, and career exploration. The goal is to help them realize their potential and explore any career paths that could be a good fit based on their aspirations. Additionally, I hope to set up scholarships specifically targeting urban community students. I know that higher education can be financially burdensome, so I want to do my part in lightening that a little, to let hardworking students push through with academics and extracurricular pursuits. My faith, family, and being born and raised in Chicago instilled in me that true success is not about what we achieve; rather, it deals with the impact we make in people's lives. I really believe that lifting them will create positive change and make a difference within our communities. I also look forward to paying it forward by making things a little easier for those who come after us. In doing that, I hope to inspire other people to believe in themselves, just like my mother had believed in me. This way, we can build a community where everyone gets equal opportunities to succeed, leaving behind a legacy of support, hope, and empowerment for the next generation. I hope the building blocks of care and dedication to learning will serve to inspire young minds forging their ways through life, assuring them, too, that by dint of hard work, their dreams could come true and that they can be means for positive change in society.

It has been eclectic between frenetic energy in cheerleading on the sidelines to quiet times of concentrated reading of a good book. Cheerleading, student council involvement, and volunteering with the Archonettes and Universal Young Scholars have all belonged to my balanced life and have helped in shaping me and fueling my ambitions. This scholarship would thus represent an enormous stride toward the realization of my goals, making an extended impact within my community. Cheerleading has taught me much more than the art of stunts and routines; it has taught me this sport incorporates teamwork, discipline, and perseverance. Leading my squad-working as a team-to reach our goals has shown me the value of hard work and dedication. This experience has also taught me how to manage stress and stay focused-very important qualities that are required to be academically successful and will continue to aid me in future endeavors. The commitment to community service has further been deepened through my involvement with the Archonettes and Universal Young Scholars. The Archonettes seek to develop youth through a structured program of activities and thus have allowed me to mentor younger members and participate in community service projects that benefit those in need. In the same way, volunteering at Universal Young Scholars has given me the opportunity to be a support for my peers academically by giving them the tools they need to succeed but also by motivating them to be their best. All these experiences really reinforce my belief in giving back and encourage me toward serving others in meaningful ways. Some of the avenues through which I find inspiration include watching sports, be it a football or wrestling match. The preclusion of sports in itself is dedicatedly crafted for winning, thus reminding me of my goals to achieve excellent results in class. This passion for sports has helped me maintain a balanced view on life and motivated me enough to stay driven. This scholarship provides me with a grant so essential to reaching my higher education goals. It will lighten the burden of tuition and allow me to focus more on studies and extracurricular activities, which helps not to add extra stress from financial burdens. I have a passion for business and a burning desire to make a difference; thus, I intend to study Business Administration to eventually open my own real estate firm. This scholarship is going to further allow me to excel in my studies, take part in helpful internships, and get on-the-job experience in real estate. Basically, this scholarship is not only money; it is an investment in my future. It will enable me to continue balancing my many interests and commitments in active pursuit of academic and career objectives.A scholarship like this provides the bedrock upon which a successful career can be molded, and this in turn will enable me to give back meaningfully to my community. Cheerleading, volunteering, and my passion for sports-cumulatively bring about who I am today; yet this scholarship will go a long way toward helping me reach my goals.

Balancing interests and commitments-school, sports, volunteer work-end while learning about mental health became an integral part of my daily life. Academic excellence, physical demands from cheerleading and student council, and emotional investments in volunteering sometimes feel like I am juggling. As a result I have had to change how I manage or handle stress and the people around me. One of those moments that really showed me why my mental health was so important was my junior year. I was trying to balance these hard classes, hard cheerleading practices, and everything with the Archonettes, my volunteer group. I was just starting to feel my grades and cheerleading, the whole performance on the field, start to slip. And I was always tired. Something needed to change. Approaching my school counselor she gave me strategies which helped me handle my time and incorporate different relaxation techniques into my daily routine. This insight brought into my life that mental health does not just concern dealing with a stress factor but also seeking help when necessary and maintaining a balanced way of life. From this, I have become a mental health advocate in my school and community. I have worked with the student council to raise awareness of mental health issues among my peers. We ran workshops on how to cope with stress and other pressures in life and pointed students toward resources should they need help. I have worked with the counseling office to make sure the resources of mental health are visible and accessible to students. Besides the school's initiative, my work with the Archonettes provided yet another avenue to educate about mental health. The youth group focuses on all-around development in which mental and emotional well-being is included. I have helped to organize events focused on educating on mental health, such as guest speakers and interactive sessions where members openly discuss experiences and strategies for coping with stress. I make it a point at home to discuss mental health openly with my siblings, sharing some things that I learned on how stress can be coped with and encouraging them to seek help if they need to. By making an amiable environment in the house, I hope that I can contribute to a culture where mental health is openly discussed and prioritized. This is an advocacy that involves besides awareness, the building of practical solutions in the management of mental health. I try removing the stigma associated with mental health issues and do my best to encourage others to ask for help when needed. It's all a matter of offering the right kind of environment that would make everybody relaxed enough to talk about their mental health condition and make use of whatever resources are available. Good mental health significantly enables students to be successful academically, take part in extracurricular activities, and find satisfaction in social relationships. While taking care of my mental health, I was able to learn valuable lessons concerning the care of myself and those people in close proximity. Through education and advocacy, I hope to be at the helm in creating a culture that will emphasize mental health and whereby students will be empowered to meet their emotional and psychological needs.

I guess it would be just as easy to say that being a twin, born and raised in urban Chicago with an older sister and a single mother is a definition of me. It is great to grow up with a twin brother but equally fulfilling was the ability to grow up with our older sister. This small, tight-knit family unit has faced its challenges but has formed the very basis for the strength and resiliency throughout my life. Now, life in a bustling metropolis has many different challenges. Our mom did all she could to provide as good of a life as possible for her chilldren by working a number of jobs to fill our needs. The daily schedules that she maintained reminded me of the importance of persistence. Watching her balance responsibilities and hold our family together showed me the fruits of hard work and sacrifice. The challenges of growing up in a single-parent home made many times the necessity to rely on one another. It took some time, but my twin brother and I learned the value of mutual support and understanding. We picked up early in life the art of teamwork-both in our personal lives and extracurricular activities. Whether it was cheering and student council, which by nature is very dependent upon teamwork, or simply doing household chores, it was always a relationship that proved to be a source of strength. Our older sister also took on a very significant mentoring and guidance role. Indeed, she molded some of the values and work habits which have influenced my sibling and me to this day. First and foremost, she showed us the importance of education and ambition by setting a good example: Her encouragement and support were crucial in guiding us through the complexities of growing up in a tough environment. With my mom's support and our family's combined strength, even with all the obstacles in our way, we made it through so many vexing times. One of the major driving forces in my life was her determination to build a better life for us. It literally fueled my ambitions, instilling in me a craving for success. I came with a mindset of maximizing the opportunities that would occur on my path, impelled by the fact that I had the potential to create a change for good in my life and that of others. This background has shaped my aspirations to a great degree. It is not only a matter of personal achievement but a matter of bringing such experience to service towards other people who may be circumstanced similarly. I am excited about a career which allows me to pay back to society nurtured by the resilience and commitment that I have been privileged to witness in my family. The nascent years spent in a single-parent family and strength derived from siblings have been very instructive as it draws an outline of what I do, and aspire to be or achieve. I am determined to make sure that I leverage my experiences and education that have so far prepared me to rise up and contribute positively within my community. My journey so far has epitomized the need for work, perseverance, and support for one another. These will be the lessons that shall guide me in my pursuit of life academically and professionally with success, so that I am able to justify all those sacrifices my family made for me and leave a mark in this world.

As I start my journey of higher education, the subject of Business Administration attracts me with a sharp vision for a real estate firm of my own one day. My reason for studying Business Administration relates to its wide application and the foundational knowledge it imparts in managing an enterprise. The field is not only an academic interest, but a meaningful and strategic step in accomplishing business entrepreneurial dreams. My drive to become an entrepreneur is deeply rooted in my drive for self-autonomy. Growing up, there was a legacy in our family of entrepreneurs around me. The successes and freedom they enjoyed making their own decisions sparked a fire in me. I want to forge my way, and owning a real estate firm represents the pinnacle of that ambition. The idea of being my own boss and the flexibility and control associated with it are huge attractions, and it will run parallel to my personal and professional goals. Entrepreneurship is one area where most people hardly ever succeed, but I have a good feeling that I will be different. My foundation has been laid on a mixture of practical experience, unrelenting dedication, and being proactive. I have always been proactive in reaching out for more learning and self-improvement opportunities, be it active involvement in various school activities or participation in community service. This has instilled problem-solving and tenacious skills in me. Besides the experiences in volunteer roles and leadership positions have equipped me with the aplomb necessary for negotiating challenges effectively and seizing opportunities where they present themselves. Success in life, to me, is about personal fulfillment and the impacts one leaves on other people. It is a proper balance between professional success and personal fulfillment. Success is not confined to financial gains only; it also pertains to the value added through rendering exemplary service, building communities, or inspiring people. Success for me is not just operating a successful real estate firm, but it is about giving back to my community, helping others fulfill their dream of homeownership, and providing an environment that nurtures growth and supports others. This scholarship would be very instrumental in transforming my goals into reality. It shall be a facilitation and help me get through business studies by giving the necessary financial support to pursue a degree in Business Administration, allowing me to delve deep into my studies and earn the proper knowledge and skills that will lead me to success in the field. It is much more than financial support involved with the scholarship; it is an investment in my future and another step further toward making my entrepreneurship dream come true. This will alleviate certain financial burdens, which in turn will allow me to focus more intently on learning, growth, and career preparation. In a nutshell, my major in Business Administration encompasses the full vision of owning a real estate firm and continuing with the entrepreneurial legacy of my family. In a similar way, this commitment is adhered to by focusing on the path with proactive behavior, resolute resilience, and encompassing an overriding vision of personal and professional success. This scholarship will go a long way toward enabling me to realize these goals and make a positive difference in the world of business.

It gets hard to balance out academics, extracurriculars, and a life back in high school. It is overwhelming with the need of schoolwork, sports, and the demand of social life. Stress just seems to be the norm at that particular point, and I find it takes away from my mental health. Between cheerleading, student council, and keeping a decent GPA, I have learned the most important way to keep myself from failing at life is making sure my mental health is taken care of. Mental health plays an immense role in my academic performance. When I am either in stress or anxious, it is a bit hard to remain focused and organized, or even motivated to study. At times, this drive to succeed results in self-doubt or the feeling of being overwhelmed with juggling activities. I have found that when my mental health is not at its best, my academic performance does suffer. The mind becomes cluttered; it is tougher to focus on an assignment or retain information during class. In conjunction with academics, mental health affects my personal life. Anxiety and stress have a major effect on my relationship with friends and family. From personal observation, when I am under mental pressure, I retreat, which ultimately leads to a wedge between me and my loved ones. It's hard to have meaningful relationships when one is not feeling their best emotionally, and that might create a vicious circle: poor mental health leads to avoidance of meaningful contact with people, which in turn is deteriorating the problem. Finally, being able to recognize the connection of mental health to academic and personal life for me has begun with taking steps to make mental health a priority. I have learned it is important to check in with myself regularly, so as not to overextend myself. One way I do that is by just taking the time to care for myself. Be that reading, exercising, or sometimes just sitting around, taking a break from the phone and social media; these are the moments that recharge and reset my mind. Exercise has especially been an excellent outlet in the management of stress. While I am an outgoing cheerleader, physically I am quite active, though from time to time I feel this urge to go for a run or to do some yoga to free my mind. The other way I take care of my mental health is through learning how to manage my time effectively. I always keep my planner to organize all my school work and extracurricular activities so not to be overwhelmed by deadlines or commitments. This helps me to plan daily what really needs attention and set realistic goals to prevent burning myself out. Equally important, I have made it a point to reach out when I need support. This may be discussing an assignment with a teacher or confiding in a friend or family member; I have realized that asking for help is a sign of strength, not a weakness. Mindfulness techniques, meditation in particular, have been very helpful. Even five to ten minutes daily on breathing or the practice of mindfulness quiets my mind and helps alleviate anxiety. It has kept me more down-to-earth and focused on what is to come, even when everything else becomes chaotic. By prioritizing my mental health, I have been able to balance the scales with life both academically and personally. It is a constant process of self-awareness and taking care of oneself, but it is one that has been utterly vital in helping me stay on top of my responsibilities while being mentally healthy.

Growing up in urban Chicago has been a defining influence upon me. I have seen firsthand the difficulties that many families face when trying to find stable housing in neighborhoods where there is a dearth of options for upward mobility. Such exposure instigated in me a desire to be a real estate broker, not just for financial success, but also to assist the disenfranchised in finding a foothold through the avenue of home owning. I want to serve as a resource for families like mine who oftentimes feel lost in the process of buying a home. I know the stability and pride of owning a home, and I want to help other people come into that kind of stability, especially those who undergo various financial and systemic barriers. More than a sport, cheerleading has meant so much to me, as it is an avenue to express my emotions, where I found my strength, and where I am able to lead others. Cheerleading taught me the sense of teamwork, resilience, and discipline. Performing in front of crowds and pushing myself physically has taught me how to manage pressure and always strive for the best. These are values that transcend onto the field or court into every other aspect of my life, from serving on the student council to helping out my community. My involvement in the student council honed my leadership and communication skills. Being part of the council put me in a place where I can speak up for my fellow students and participate in projects that make our school great for everyone. With student council, I have learned how to organize people, work with them, and fix problems—mainly the skills that I know will help me a great deal in real estate. Student council has helped me develop a deep sense of how to interact with people and provide solutions for problems, which is an important trait that I will use in my career. Apart from cheerleading and student council, my work with the Archonettes-a youth group centered on community service-has allowed me to further connect even more with my passion for helping others. The volunteers from the group illustrated how such small deeds of kindness are powerful and giving back is not only a responsibility but a great privilege, too. Serving others confirmed my interest in working in the field where I know I'm contributing something to make other people's lives a little easier. This scholarship will help me fulfill my career goals. I can focus on my studies rather than the economic weight associated with attending college. I want to major in Business Administration and Real Estate to enable me to learn and understand the complexities of the housing market. More importantly, I would like to learn how to be able to help the families and individuals of low income so that they can get affordable quality housing. Being awarded this scholarship would enable me to invest my whole self into my education while continuing to serve my community through various volunteer initiatives. I see myself at the end not just as a real estate broker but as an advocate for housing equity: to use my position to uplift people and create lasting, positive change in disinherited communities. The life lessons I have learned in cheerleading, student council, and the Archonettes will each take part in shaping the kind of real estate professional I want to be. I want to use this scholarship to confidently hope that a vision becomes real, that the dream of home ownership actually is within reach for those who need it most.

Competition can bring out the best in people, but it is no less an ordeal that might drain and stress people out. It happened in my case to have to go through hard times in competition for a cheer team place against an underclassman. This was one of those incidences in life that tested my will, made me reflect upon my capabilities, and really helped mold my character. I had been practicing hard to be on the cheer team, which is a role that I love and have loved for years. It is not just some kind of activity, but rather cheerleading means something to make me happy and to maintain good relations with my school. When the time came, however, to try out for the team, I learned I was up against a very talented underclassman competing at the same position. The stakes could barely be any higher with this sort of intense competition. It was grueling-hours and hours of routine practices, perfecting my stunt and fine-tuning my cheerleading skills. In spite of this, the doubts still crept in: Am I good enough to take the place? The pressure was high to perform well since the fear of not making it on the team was daunting. Because of this, my will to stay focused and positive helped me through this adversity. I would remind myself how much I loved cheerleading and how many years I had put into the sport. I talked with my coaches and teammates for advice and encouragement. The fact that they believed in me helped even when I wanted to give up on myself. In the long run, it was not what I wanted. The underclassman got the team, and I did not. Whereas that was a disappointment, the experience was worth its weight in gold. The whole thing gave me great lessons on resiliency, humility, and how one must maintain a positive attitude regardless of whatever setbacks occur. This experience molded me in a couple of ways. It instilled in me the importance of hard work and how it pays off, even when things do not go exactly as planned. It helped me to learn how to appreciate the struggle that others may go through since I learned to be considerate every time life struggles my peers through. Success, to me, is not just about winning but about the overcoming of an obstacle and learning from it. To anyone who finds themselves in similar circumstances, my advice would be to pay attention to the process and not the result. Giving your all to something and being dutiful is important, but enjoyment in the journey and learning from it is equally so. Remember, setbacks are opportunities for growth, and sometimes it is the positive attitude that keeps one at bay. Seek people around you for support, and take all experiences as opportunities to become more resilient and full of character. After all, adversity is our greatest teacher. It dares us to rise, to adapt, and to overcome molding us into who we will be. Life lessons taught through competing for the cheer team position have indeed armed me with the tools and wisdom necessary to face any adversity in my future, be it the sport of cheerleading or whatever path that may take me.

Being a twin and growing up in urban Chicago, I have always been comfortable in environments where teamwork and community involvement played an important role. My senior year of high school consisted of embracing those values as a cheerleader, member of the student council, and active volunteer. My love of reading, particularly fan fiction and novels, gives me an outlet, but most importantly, it allows me to enhance my creativity, something which I plan on carrying well into my future career. Cheerleading and student council taught me something: leadership, resilience, and dedication. All these traits mean a lot for the success of a team but also for life beyond high school. These activities helped me to develop such skills as time management and communication. They have also brought me closer to people from all walks of life. It is through these networks that I have learned of the tribulations most people go through in their communities, and that deepened my aspirations for a professional career in real estate. My passion for real estate is not just about property transactions. It is actually about how one can help people, mostly from marginalized communities, reach their dream of owning a house. Raised in an urban setting where homebuying is highly limited, I was given the opportunity to experience firsthand the impact stable housing could make on a family's future. I strive to be that type of real estate broker who invests time into helping underrepresented communities with knowledge and resources to obtain homes. More importantly, it's not just about the real estate, but an investment in stability, security, and an assured future. I want to be that facilitator. The value of giving back, which I internalize from volunteering with the Archonettes, a youth organization channeled toward building a better community through mind, body, and spirit, is very special. It has given me a platform to work in my community and has strengthened my commitment to the service of others. Through mentorship or the organization of events, my time in the Archonettes has shown me the importance of supporting your peers when certain opportunities are not always presented as they may be for others. Besides Archonettes, I volunteer at my local mosque, where much of the activities I participate in involve service to both youth and adults. Such experiences have further crystallized my understanding of community and service and reaffirmed my need for a career that would permit me to continue serving others meaningfully. A scholarship will, therefore, help in realizing these goals. As much as I am into real estate, I know a successful broker needs more than just heart. It requires a great foundation in business. This scholarship would provide me with the financial resources necessary to pursue an education that would enable me to develop the skills needed to successfully navigate the business side of real estate. It would be related to how to understand market trends, mastering negotiation tactics, the list goes on and on. Everything I do, from cheerleading and volunteering to academics, serves the purpose of lifting my community. I have chosen to do real estate, and I am going to make a change.

My mother’s steadfast resilience and determination have provided the backbone to my academic pursuits. All I can remember, from a tender age, is how she handled multiple jobs, managed the house, and somehow never missed a school function or parent-teacher conference. From observing her relentless work ethic as a single parent, I learned that hard work and firm resolve will surmount any obstacle. My academic performance is a reflection of those values my mother instilled in me. Times were so harsh, and resources were not always available, for example, tutoring or extracurricular activities; nonetheless, my mother would always seek out a way to provide me with tools for success. Her sacrifice motivated me to perform well in school, not for my sake, but as a form of showing appreciation for her efforts. Each time I had problems, I recalled her determination, and that alone made me move forward and uphold my academic status. Some of the things my mom taught me transcend academics: the lessons of giving back, helping others. I will continue on with the commitment to using my education and career in service to my community. I want to be a real estate broker specializing in helping the underrepresented population of Chicago become homeowners. My motivation for serving the community is deeply rooted in my realization of what it takes for so many families to be homeowners. I believe homeownership is the core building block in stability and the creation of generational wealth, but it is structurally hard to reach by many in urban areas. I have seen over and over again many of the problems with renting that include, but are not limited to, a lack of stability and even the ability to control one's home environment. I feel that guiding people through the complex process of buying a house will eventually give them the type of security and opportunities that come with owning a house. I want to become a real estate broker. I have a passion for specializing in first-time homebuyers, especially from marginalized communities. My intention is to provide assistance and serve as an advocate for individuals who are often neglected or exploited within the real estate world. Through guidance, education, and support from prequalifying to closing, I look forward to empowering individuals and families so they may make sound decisions for years to come. I also wish to use my platform to bring awareness about the need for affordable housing and to support such policies that would create avenues toward homeownership. I strongly believe that people should have a chance to own a house; hence, I have committed myself to seeing that becomes a reality for as many people as possible. In short, my mother showed me the strength and willpower to face challenges in life, guiding not only my path of education so far but shaping my vision for the future. She taught me a lesson in hard work, patience, and community service. It is something I would love to follow through in my career in real estate by ensuring that through knowledge and experience, I'm able to help others create stability and security that come with owning your home and build a better community.

Freshman year was a really uncomfortable time for me because I had a huge dose of social anxiety. Maneuvering through a new school, around and amidst many people, talking to new faces, and discussion in the classroom made me apprehensive. More of the time, this anxiety kept me from reaching out for opportunities and interaction with my classmates. Stepping out of my comfort zone set up somewhat an impossible task, which I knew had to be done in order to succeed. I wanted to make sure that I could get over anxiety; I had decided to engage in all those activities that would push me out of my comfort zone. This was an important decision when joining the cheerleading team, which made me perform in front of an audience, work intensely together, and take some leadership in the team. Cheerleading taught me how to handle my anxiety, how to be more confident, and how to feel part of a group. I joined the student council at the same time. That further helped me develop through voicing my opinion and working on some school projects as part of collaboration, together with engaging with the student body. My volunteering with some youth groups has played an essential role in my development. Through these groups, I had the opportunity to mentor younger students, organize events within our community, and help make a difference in our local area. Each one of these activities helped me feel less anxious in social settings and more outgoing little by little. Now, as a senior, I am proud of how far I have come. These experiences have equipped me with the skills necessary to apply my education to a greater purpose. My aim is to become a broker in real estate, where my goal is to facilitate homeownership for the underrepresented population in Chicago. I understand many of the challenges that so many face living in urban communities, and I'm committed to using my knowledge and skills to make a difference. I want to translate access and resources for individuals and their families through the process of homeownership, which means stable, secure housing that will improve their quality of life and contribute toward the long-term well-being of the community. I believe one of the important building blocks for strong, healthy neighborhoods is access to homeownership, and I feel committed to helping others reach this critical milestone. In the end, overcoming my social anxiety was important to both my personal and academic development. Overwhelmingly, my experience has developed valuable skills and installed confidence in me. In turn, I will make sure to be a give to my community through continuing higher education and a future career, helping to make possible the opportunity of homeownership that might otherwise be overlooked. I only hope that as a real estate broker, I will be able to make a relevant difference and contribute to an equitable, supportive community experience.

The impacts of ALS in my life were such that it re-structured my outlook on life and profoundly affected my plans for the future. My cousin Tonya, who was once a dynamic, energetic lady, has become totally different because of this terrible illness. It is sad and enlightening to see her progress from an athletic and outgoing person to becoming wheelchair-bound and at mercy with every basic need. Tonya had never been still in her life until ALS laid hold of her. She was one of those people who loved being around others, enjoyed team sports, and embraced life with an infectious vivacity. This fall, at first thought to be a minor clumsiness, became the first symptom of a merciless neurodegenerative disease that progressively destroyed her physical capabilities. I've had the chance to witness firsthand, with increased deterioration, her plight face-to-face as she fights to find her independence and learns this new life. This is a first-hand experience with ALS that serves me, therefore, as a reality check on just how life can change in an instant-the impact such a disease may place on a loved one and all the others around them. Through this, I learned from the experience how to be resilient and express empathy. The way my cousin courageously faced every new day's struggle with ALS still teaches me how to hold a positive outlook in life, against all odds-a cognition that says we cannot control all the challenges life will throw at us but can maintain our reactions to them. I was inspired by my cousin's unyielding strength in the face of her condition to handle my own difficulties with the same spirit of endurance and determination. Witnessing what ALS has done to my cousin has truly only fanned the flames of what was already a very strong desire to help others in similar battles. The motivation of making a difference in someone's life who has been diagnosed with a chronic disease propels me. I have sworn to contribute in whatever possible ways, be they through medical research, the advocacy of patients, or community support programs, toward the betterment of the lives of people who fight against ALS and its ilk. My aim is to channel my experiences and learnings into initiatives that provide support, raise awareness, and drive progress in the fight against such debilitating conditions. Complementing my career goals, I have been working with local support groups and advocating for ALS. I volunteered to speak about the disease and give any kind of support towards fundraising activities for a cure. Through this, I want to complement my cousin's strength and resilience through contributing to a cause that will help others overcome similar challenges. I envision, in the future, using my experiences in living with ALS to facilitate change and advocate for people dealing with chronic diseases. I strongly believe that marrying personal insights with a professional commitment to improve patient care and research will go a long way in making a difference in the field. The fight of my cousin with ALS has really influenced my view towards life and implores me to take a track that is empathetic, resilient, and serving.

The bottom line in my pursuit of higher education has been the support of my mother, which has never wavered. From the tender age of a five-year-old to date, she has always been behind me, guiding and encouraging every step I take. Her support is not only motivational, but it has also played a great role in shaping my mindset toward education and personal growth. Well, my mother's involvement in my life surpasses the normal parental involvement; she tries to make sure she attends all events, games, and conferences whenever her schedule may permit. Her presence at these moments witnesses her faith and commitment in my capability. Whether it be to cheer from the sidelines at cheer competitions or just an encouraging word before a big exam, she is surely a reassuring constant presence. Knowing that she will always be there, cheering me into this or that, has given me the confidence to tackle challenges head-on and to strive to be the best. Beyond just being present, my mother has provided resources and tools with which I needed to thrive. She values good education and has invested in everything, starting from extra tutoring sessions to study materials, which help me excel in my studies. She acts on her belief in my potential; it is not like she just says that I am capable of achieving any goal, but she works with me in achieving them. Whether it be staying up late into the night to help me work on an assignment that I am struggling with, or even organizing extra-curricular activities that cater to my interests, her dedication to my success is clear to see. It has also been very enriching to learn from my mother's personal experiences. I have seen her go through ups and downs all with grace and determination. The way she bounces back from adversity truly makes me understand the significance of not giving up, which directly emanates from perseverance and hard work. I've seen her jump hurdles and celebrate victories, and that only urges me to face mine with resilience and hope. Beyond this direct support, mom has always taught me some useful life lessons that have shaped my educational journey. Among these teachings, the persistence of insisting on reinforcing the spirit of hard work and keeping me focused has grown into a principle adopted in my learning approach. She would not stop telling me not to give up, even when in difficulties. That itself grew inside me: as an attitude, head on toward challenges, struggle through obstacles. My mother's support is not confined to success in academics alone, but rather to all aspects of my growth. It is because of her belief in my capabilities that I get the courage to do all that I want to and aspire big. Her guidance has been instrumental in helping me navigate the complexities of school life, and her love and encouragement have been a source of strength during times of uncertainty. My mother, throughout my pursuit for the educational goals, has been very supportive and could present herself at every milestone event, provide materials whenever necessary, and even taught me through some relevant life lessons. I will be indebted to her not only with regard to the goals but also in the values she managed to instill in me: those of perseverance and dedication. I'm so thankful for her part in my life and the innumerable ways she has supported me and inspired me throughout the years of going through school.

As a high school senior, 17 years of age, my life totally revolves around deep commitment to personal growth and community involvement. I pursue cheerleading and reading avidly, but most importantly, take on the responsibility to make a difference in every life around me. Being part of the student council has given me the time to be able to fight for my peers and contribute to the initiatives within the school, while being able to volunteer at the senior center within my area has allowed me to relate with and support our older community members. The experiences that have defined me are those that also reinforced my resolve toward serving. Community involvement with the Archonettes, a social group whose purpose is to impact youth development, is multifaceted. This program nurtures young people on three levels: mind, body, and spirit, all while participating in community service. This has enabled me, through the Archonettes, to participate in several activities that foster personal growth and community engagement-from the organization of local events to the leadership of workshops for younger students. This has been an amazingly enriching role for me, whereby the dynamics of giving back and growth as a leader happen hand in hand. The groups that I am involved in creates safe spaces for the children and youth both physically and online. I have been actively involved in the development and promotion of safe spaces for the young people through increasing opportunities for recreation and socialization. I work at organizing events and activities that give them positive energy release opportunities and creative outlets, which in turn can help ensure young people in these groups build supportive friendships and learn their way through hard times together. Additionally try to create awareness on cyberbullying through open discussions with the audience concerning their safety online. Cyberbullying is our reality, and unfortunately one of the problems affecting young people today. This has been a provocation for me to create awareness on the need for responsible digital literacy among these children. I engage in workshops and discussions at school that help students identify how they can protect themselves on social media, acknowledge predatory behavior, and seek help if an issue arises. Finally, I have a strong network and supportive online community that reduces the impact of cyberbullying making all children and youth feel safe and valued. One of the issues of concern that I have while marching towards higher education is the financing of higher education. I was raised in a single-family setting where my mom could not save any money for college. As such, I will have to heavily rely on financial aid and scholarships to enable me to achieve my dream of going to college. Financial aid will be crucial for me to develop both professionally and as a student with minimal debt. In general, cheerleading, student council, and community service via the Archonettes have each played major roles in molding me into the person I am today. Financially, this struggle more clearly outlines the importance of scholarships and any other financial aid that may be extended to me in college. I create safe spaces and raise awareness on cyberbullying, in the hope of making a difference in my community by helping others through in-person and online complexities.

My life as a high school student in Chicago has been quite an experience, with each new day bringing its share of challenges. First and foremost, I depend on public transportation to and back from school daily. In no way can this be referred to as an easy commute: packed buses, late trains, and jogs through the unsafe areas are all parts of my daily schedule. Whereas some of my colleagues will merely get in the car to drive to school in minutes, my morning often started with standing in the dark waiting at a bus stop and asking myself whether it would be one of those days when I would make it to school on time. Public transportation is not completely predictable. And most days, whether because of a late bus or a delay in the trains, I was usually late getting to school-which really just adds to the stressfulness of an already demanding school day. The trip home is no easier, with all the extra weight in a loaded-backpack filled with just about everything one needs for homework, extracurricular activities, and more. At the same time, I always had to keep my mind aware of my personal safety. I have to be always on guard while walking through the streets of this city, whether it be early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Amidst all these challenges, I've succeeded in pressing forward with my education and earning good grades. My school is not as good as all others; we learn with whatever they make available for us. Our classrooms are not really updated, and sometimes we just have to work with what we have. For example, my cheerleading team often has to travel to other schools to practice stunts because we lack the necessary safety mats. This adds an extra layer of difficulty also because we are working not only with limited resources but also dealing with various logistical setbacks of practicing in unfamiliar environments. Fights at my school are literally an everyday occurrence, which can make the atmosphere tense and distracting. However, I find that my friends, teammates, and teachers make the days bearable. We support one another, laugh between classes, and talk about the good things in school life. The relationships I build have kept me strong in fighting through the struggles of my environment and concentrating on what is most important-my education. One of the things I did like about school, though, was that instead of textbooks, they used Chromebooks. It is a pretty bare-bones setup, and we do not have all kinds of tools or anything provided; however, the access to the digital resources added, for sure, some major value. I can stay organized, complete assignments more efficiently, and literally find almost any bit of information I could ever need at my fingertips. This has definitely helped balance all the issues that I go through on a daily basis. Contrary to everything, I am determined to make it. The few struggles ranging from moving around using public means of transportation to even the lack of resources at school have strengthened my will to succeed. I know that education can be used as a way out, and I try to make the most of the opportunities available, although they are not prime. Through this, I have learned resiliency, adaptability, and the art of perseverance. I have learned it doesn't matter what can or does happen; staying focused to achieve success is always a possibility with hard work and a bit of pushing forward.

When one of my parents had bipolar disorder, it managed to change every aspect of my life. Growing up in a middle-child position, I have experienced a wide mix of responsibilities and experiences that have influenced my outlook on life, relationships, and aspirations. It has been my mother's illness that has provided the continuing factor, the shifting backdrop against which we live our lives. But above all, it has carved my character, my empathy, and my dreams. Early on in my young life, I had to be that one person my mom would lean onto most. At home, roles and responsibilities often became blurred, and I realized at any moment I had to be ready for everything. There were days she would be that bubbly, loving woman who could take anything life threw at her, and then there were days when her illness would shadow over everything, leaving her withdrawn, struggling to make it through the day. Then, I was more than a daughter; I was her emotional anchor to keep our family grounded. Although this at times is heavy, it has been a good teacher of resilience, patience, and understanding. Life is not always straightforward and easy, and everybody has their burdens-mostly invisible. That fact has touched my relationship with other people profoundly, as nowadays I am much more empathetic and tolerant. Individuals are complex, and with them, I am the first to offer compassion rather than judgment, knowing that we all have our personal battles we fight. Cheerleading has provided the escape: a method of expressing myself and finding joy when the atmosphere at home became too much to handle. It has given me a sense of accomplishment and belonging, an avenue on which I can channel my energy and emotions. But even in that space, my mother is omnipresent. She taught me to be strong, keep going even when it gets tough, and support my teammates the way I support her. The discipline and teamwork I have learned through cheerleading have paralleled the qualities I have had to develop at home: being responsible, staying optimistic, and pushing forward, regardless of the challenges. Perhaps the most influential impact my mother's disease has had on me has been in my career goals. It has placed a certain fire within me to work in real estate, wanting to place others in homes that allow them security and peace, which is always difficult to find in our case. I have seen how important a stable home environment can be for mental health and overall well-being. I am determined to be part of the solution for families like mine. This is me looking to the future: I dream of using my career in continued service to my community, helping people from walks of life into safe and stable homes they can call home. I want to afford others the opportunity to find their ways to flourish as I've found mine despite challenges along my path. My mother's bipolar disorder has shaped me into being empathetic, strong, and driven. It has accorded me a unique look at life and driven me to pursue a career where I can make tangible differences. Whatever struggle we went through together shaped me into the person I am today and further fueled my drive to work toward a brighter future for myself, my family, and people who stand in my shoes.

Watching my mother's pursuit of home ownership in urban Chicago has been a defining influence on my life goals. I have watched her struggle her way through unaffordable housing markets to the emotional roller coaster of being tight on money. It was not until last year that she started the process of purchasing her first home with the help of a caring realtor who became a mentor to her-and eventually to me. This experience opened my eyes to the brutal realities many face in urban areas and further instilled in me a passion for real estate, urban planning, and economic justice. I envision being a real estate broker who can assist people in purchasing homes while being an outspoken advocate for policies and practices that create options for affordable housing, combat homelessness, and stop gentrification. I want to make sure that communities of marginalized groups have the opportunity for home ownership in neighborhoods where one can build their lives without fear of displacement. My mom's struggles only made me more cognizant of just how real and head-on the issues need to be addressed, and leveraged my career in service to make sure positive impacts are provided in this area. My personal values are cemented in the fact that everyone deserves a safe, affordable place to call home. In truth, I strongly believe that urban planning and real estate should be tools in the creation of fair, sustainable communities, not just for the furtherance of profit-driven development. For me, fighting gentrification means preserving the cultural and social texture of neighborhoods while still allowing economic growth. It's about balance that works to the benefit of all residents, not just those who can afford rising property values. I plan to pursue a career that advances holistic urban policies in which affordable housing and sustainability are its prime movers. I will work with community organizations, local governments, and developers in bringing about housing solutions that are economically viable and socially responsible. I will work to develop mixed-income housing that incorporates rather than displaces existing communities. Additionally, my efforts will go to supporting green building practices that will make the urban environment more sustainable and resilient. It is, however, this very idea of making some real difference in the lives of individuals struggling hard-like my mom-to own a home that primarily motivates me to take up this career. I want to be part of the solution to the housing crisis and make sure every person, irrespective of their background, gets to live in a stable, enabling environment. My mother's life journey has inspired me in my resolve to commit my life to making urban areas fair and sustainable for all people.

I was born in the city of Chicago and raised watching my mother's never-ending struggle to own a home; her dream seemed elusive. This was a story that really marked me with a lot of financial and emotional struggles. All through, we lived in rented apartments; never did we own one. It wasn't until last year that my mother finally embarked on her journey to own her first home. That realtor who guided her through that path didn't just take her house hunting, but he took her mind on a journey to find herself. It was quite a turnaround for me watching my mom's persistence to owning a house despite the many challenges she encountered. Her struggle only highlighted disparities and difficulties many face in trying to obtain stable housing. It instilled in me that there needs to be someone who can understand and help in the struggle to make this difference. Through that experience, I learned that having someone in your corner, a nice and knowledgeable realtor in this case, can help you realize your dreams. It wasn't about her finding any piece of property; it was about finding a home. A place where she can create a future and stability. This was the point that lit a fire in me to be an urban area-concentrating real estate broker for people coming from comparable backgrounds. I am motivated by the passion to make a difference within my community and society at large and the ones I know and care about. Strong personal experiences have given added strength to the view that everyone should have an opportunity for home ownership, and that the right realtor, one who is truly knowledgeable and approachable, can complete the occasion. I want to be that person who can help others overcome the daunting task of home buying, walking them through the process with the proper guidance and tools to overcome obstacles that get in the way. The real estate brokerage service that I want to specialize in should be directed towards helping achieve goals of home ownership among urban-based individuals and families. Conducive in making proper guidance and solutions, it is when you understand the peculiar challenges facing these communities that you can help. My background and experience endowed me with the insight of those people's needs and allowed me to commit myself to changing things for the better. The story of my mother, with the influence of my mentor in realty, only furthered my resolve to become a real estate professional. I am passionate about creating an influence and want other people to have what my mother strived so much to accomplish. With a specific urban focus and coming from a marginalized background, my dream is to become a change agent and a pillar of support to people like my mother, who face challenges and toil for the stability and security that comes with home ownership.

My high school experience has been dramatically influenced by the atypical difficulties and experiences I have to go through in living with a mother with bipolar disorder. I, being the middle child, became her confidante and strong support system; I balanced school and cheerleading with being there for her anytime she needed me most. It is with these responsibilities that the person in me has been molded, and my dreams for the future have affected me. As a child, I could never understand bipolar disorder with my mother. I knew she sometimes had very energetic days filled with hope and days when it took too much effort for her to get out of bed. These mood swings can be wild and unpredictable; thus, my siblings and I learned to put up with an ever-changing atmosphere at home. As I grew older, the patterns repeated themselves often enough that it was not difficult to fathom that her illness was beyond her control. Rather, she was only being herself, and the burden lay with us to deal with her as best we could. Being the middle child put me in a special place. I wasn't the oldest, who would thereby have automatically assumed some heavy responsibilities, neither was I the youngest, who would probably be somewhat sheltered from some harsh realities. I had become the one my mother leaned on most. I learned to manage her medication, remembered all her appointments, and became the one she would lean on whenever there was someone to talk to. This role wasn't always easy, as it taught me so many valuable lessons on empathy, resilience, and how important it is to be there for the people you love. These experiences have marred my relations with other people. I have grown more empathetic and tolerant, realizing that each person has their own struggle, sometimes invisible. I have learned to listen more and to judge less, as it might well be that what someone is going through may not be as apparent as it seems. This empathy has made me a better friend and teammate, especially in cheerleading, where working closely with others is essential. Cheerleading has been an important way for me to cope with my concerns during high school. It has given me a method of channeling my energy, building confidence, and associating with others in a positive environment. But it has been more than all that, also. It has allowed me to step out of the responsibility at home and concentrate on something joyful. My teammates turned into an almost second family, supporting me and encouraging me when I needed it most. Living with a mother with bipolar disorder has presented challenges, but it has also inspired my future career goals. Firsthand exposure to how very important stability and security can be-just simple things not necessarily guaranteed when one of your parents has bipolar disorder-this has sparked an interest in real estate where one day I hope to help families find homes that can provide them with security and comfort. I want to apply to jobs in urban centers, like the one in which I grew up, where there is often a shortage in affordable housing. I want to contribute to the development of settings that will enable families to thrive despite the hardships my mother faced. This illness of my mother thus touched a chord in my life, but it made me far stronger, compassionate, and successful in my own way. Equally, I have learnt that life is never fair, but that too cannot stop you from making the best out of it. From my mother, I learned how strength could help someone face up with scores of hurdles and never give up when things appear beyond reach. A look to the future: it is with the experience of living with my mother's bipolar disorder. It has shaped my values, relationships, and aspirations. The experiences have taught me that, with determination and support, any challenge can be surmounted. As a matter of fact, they have influenced me toward a career in which I can assist others who are perhaps battling their own demons.