From the time I was young, and long before I even made my way into college, I knew I wanted to major in Criminal Justice. From there, I knew that I wanted to pursue law, and after indulging in my major for upwards of three years, I am still very sure I made the correct choice. It is safe to say that I am passionate about what I am majoring in. First and foremost, I believe that everyone should have the access and opportunity to be represented fairly in a court of law, as well as receive the help and education needed for them to grow and do better. With my degree, I want to help those in lower-income households and areas have the ability to have fair representation, mainly because lawyers and other court costs are unjustly expensive. More so, I want to help lower the recidivism rates in America, thus reducing incarceration rates, which helps improve the overall prison system, especially considering one of its largest problems is overcrowding and dwindling monetary resources. Most people who recommit crimes do so because they are not offered the proper intervention or may feel as though they have no other option but to offend. Also, many do not try to commit crimes but, because they have no other means, end up violating parole and are returned to prison. Instead of pushing to incarcerate people, I want to help rehabilitate non-violent offenders, whether that be with programs, mental health services, or other specific resources. By helping these people, we are effectively helping the United States as a whole. As a Black individual, I think it is even more important for me to pursue a degree in Criminal Justice, largely considering that most individuals who go through the system are Black or of African American descent. The Criminal Justice System disproportionately affects this community of people very negatively, even going so far as negatively tainting their perspectives on the system, and it is vital to address and acknowledge this with real concern in order to improve it. It makes me feel great pride to know that I could make a very large difference in both my community and many different people's lives. Furthermore, knowing that I am capable of making such a change for the better in the Criminal Justice System is very important to me. This continues to encourage me to continue to work hard to make my goals a reality.

I unexpectedly lost my grandmother Christmas Eve of 2020, after she suffered complications associated with Covid-19. Her passing was truly my first experience with grief, and it has, to this day, taken me a while to fully process it. Prior, I had never expected her any reason other than natural causes, and even then, grandparents are the kind of people you just assume live forever. I had expected her to see me turn become an adult, graduate high school, graduate college, get married and so forth. In the following months, her death, coupled with the loneliness caused by the pandemic, I reached one of the lowest points in my life. Eventually trying to balance my mental health, school, and grief was too difficult, and I found myself deeply depressed and struggling with my self-esteem. I procrastinated constantly and lacked motivation to do anything, even to just exist. The only reason I continued to do my work was because I was afraid of failing everyone, especially my grandmother. I felt like no one really understood how I felt, even my own family. I recently realized one of the best ways I could honor my grandmother would be to graduate with good grades and continue to obtain a higher education. As of right now, I finished my high school career within the top 30 percent of my class and am currently on track to graduate with a Bachelor’s degree within three years. Although, I wish my grandmother was here to see me go through life, I know that she is extremely proud of me and, that is one of the main reasons that I push myself to keep persevering. By continuing to excel in school, I am not only doing it for myself, but for others in my family. Being the oldest niece in my family, I am always reminded how I have multiple people looking up to me (my younger cousins) and how I must set a good example to them in all walks of life. Not only am I setting an example for the youngest in my family but, I am setting one for the older members as well. Because I am doing well, I am encouraging them to return to school and seek higher learning too. Specifically, my mom. Being as she is an immigrant; she did not get the opportunity to seek higher learning. Me doing so well has encouraged her to eventually return to and finish schooling as well. I am proud that I inspire people in such a way that they want to better themselves also.

My mother was born in Liberia, and later migrating to Ghana (due to the First Liberian Civil War), often tells me stories of her life there. She tells of her doing laundry and taking long journeys fetching water, all before early morning. Journeys so long that by the time she was finished, her friends would be returning home from school. She tells me about her unpaid school fees and transferring schools under aliases so she could continue her education, she even tells me how she was denied education by her parents at one point. On the contrary, she also tells me about the fun times, the food, the culture, and the atmosphere. My mother eventually immigrated to the United States at about the same age I am today. Since then, she has made it her aim to better herself, and part of that goal is bettering me. Raising me herself, education, respect, and humility have always been a priority in our household. In contrast to her upbringing, my mom has made sure I strive for success and receive the best education I can. In her words to become an “asset to society”. She has set a standard, that although seemed excessive when I was younger, has molded me in such a way that I could never have imagined. Fast forward to January 2020, I finally was able to visit Ghana for a second time. While I had been there once before, this time was different; I was staying there an entire month. In that month I believe I learned even more from her than I had in 16 years. I not only saw the beauty of the place she called home, but I even saw the struggles she endured. During my time there, we visited a school. Hundreds of children the same age as me (and the age my mother had been when she resided in Ghana) packed into the two-room school with paint chipping off of the walls. Girls with their hair cut short, just as my mother’s had been. Many of them wearing uniforms two sizes too big. Some not able to afford school supplies vital to their success in class. Sure, I experienced the rich culture and the good food but, that visit is when it truly clicked for me. I finally had a visual to put to the stories I’ve been told. Of course, the stories were true, but when put in such a position of comfort, having luxuries such as school supplies, and even guaranteed schooling, it’s nearly unfathomable to put the pieces together to create the entire picture. On that stay, I could actively imagine my mother as one of those girls, I could truly see the stories she constantly expresses me come to life. I understood why she pushes me so hard to stand out and from that day forward I made it a priority to strive for greatness. Currently, I am the first in my family to attend college and not only am I excelling, but, I am continuing to push myself in ways I never would have thought possible. I have become involved on campus, held executive roles, presented at a variety of conferences, and helped guide and mentor other first generation students who are just like me.

From the time I was young, and long before I even made my way into college, I knew I wanted to major in Criminal Justice. From there, I knew that I wanted to pursue law, and after indulging in my major for upwards of two years, I am still very sure I made the correct choice. It is safe to say that I am passionate about what I am majoring in. First and foremost, I believe that everyone should have the access and opportunity to be represented fairly in a court of law, as well as receive the help and education needed for them to grow and do better. With my degree, I want to help those in lower-income households and areas have the ability to have fair representation, mainly because lawyers and other court costs are unjustly expensive. More so, I want to help lower the recidivism rates in America, thus reducing incarceration rates, which helps improve the overall prison system, especially considering one of its largest problems is overcrowding and dwindling monetary resources. Most people who recommit crimes do so because they are not offered the proper intervention or may feel as though they have no other option but to offend. Also, many do not try to commit crimes but, because they have no other means, end up violating parole and are returned to prison. Instead of pushing to incarcerate people, I want to help rehabilitate non-violent offenders, whether that be with programs, mental health services, or other specific resources. By helping these people, we are effectively helping the United States as a whole. As a Black individual, I think it is even more important for me to pursue a degree in Criminal Justice, largely considering that most individuals who go through the system are Black or of African American descent. The Criminal Justice System disproportionately affects this community of people very negatively, even going so far as negatively tainting their perspectives on the system, and it is vital to address and acknowledge this with real concern in order to improve it. It makes me feel great pride to know that I could make a very large difference in both my community and many different people's lives. Furthermore, knowing that I am capable of making such a change for the better in the Criminal Justice System is very important to me. This continues to encourage me to continue to work hard to make my goals a reality.

I am doing my best to address many social issues but, I believe the most important one is the disproportionate rates of incarceration among people of color. While I am knowledgeable on this topic, I am always looking to expand my knowledge and learn more. Furthermore, once I receive my degree, I hope to make even more of a difference within the system. With my degree, I want to improve the Criminal Justice System in its entirety. I think in some aspects, there are things that it have been done well but, overall I think there are many ways that it could be refined and improved upon. I believe that everyone should have the access and opportunity to be represented fairly in a court of law, as well as receive the help and education vital to crime rehabilitation and prevention. I want to help those in lower-income households and areas have the ability to have fair representation, mainly because lawyers and other court costs are unjustly expensive. More so, I want to help lower the recidivism rates in America, thus reducing incarceration rates, which helps improve the overall prison system, especially considering one of its largest problems is overcrowding, inhumane conditions, and lack of monetary resources. When looked at, most people who recommit crimes do so because they are not offered the proper intervention or, feel as though they have no other option but to re offend. This makes sense, considering how difficult it is to obtain a job, a home, or even vote once someone has a criminal record. Also, many do not try to commit crimes but, because they have no other means, end up violating parole and are returned to prison. Instead of pushing to incarcerate people, I want to help rehabilitate non-violent offenders, whether that be with programs, mental health services, or other specialized resources. By helping these people, we are effectively helping the United States as a whole. As a Black woman, I think it is even more important for me to pursue a degree in Criminal Justice and work to fix the system, largely considering that most individuals who go through the system are Black or of African-American descent. The Criminal Justice System disproportionately affects this community of people very negatively, even going so far as negatively tainting their perspectives on the system, and it is vital to address and acknowledge it in order to improve it. It makes me feel great pride to know that I could make a very large difference in both my community and many different people's lives. Furthermore, knowing that I am capable of making such a change for the better in the Criminal Justice System is very important to me. This continues to encourage me to continue to work hard to make my goals a reality.

I am currently a second-year student majoring in Criminal Justice, with a minor in Sociology. I plan on doing many things upon receiving my degree in these fields. I first want to continue my education and receive higher learning by going to graduate and law school. Afterward, I plan on becoming a lawyer and finally, becoming a judge. With my degree, I want to improve the Criminal Justice System in its entirety. I think in some aspects, there are things that it has done well but, overall I think there are many ways that it could be refined and improved upon. In addition, I believe that everyone should have the access and opportunity to be represented fairly in a court of law, as well as receive the help and education needed for them to grow and do better. With my degree, I want to help those in lower-income households and areas have the ability to have fair representation, mainly because lawyers and other court costs are unjustly expensive. More so, I want to help lower the recidivism rates in America, thus reducing incarceration rates, which helps improve the overall prison system, especially considering one of its largest problems is overcrowding, dwindling, and monetary resources. Most people who recommit crimes do so because they are not offered the proper intervention or feel as though they have no other option. Also, many do not try to commit crimes but, because they have no other means, end up violating parole and are returned to prison. Instead of pushing to incarcerate people, I want to help rehabilitate non-violent offenders, whether that be with programs, mental health services, or specific resources. By helping these people, we are effectively helping the United States as a whole. As a Black woman, I think it is even more important for me to pursue a degree in Criminal Justice, largely considering that most individuals who go through the system are Black or of African-American descent. The Criminal Justice System disproportionately affects this community of people very negatively, even going so far as negatively tainting their perspectives on the system, and it is vital to address and acknowledge it to improve it. It makes me feel great pride to know that I could make a very large difference in both my community and many different people's lives. Furthermore, knowing that I am capable of making such a change for the better in the Criminal Justice System is very important to me. This continues to encourage me to continue to work hard to make my goals a reality.

I have wanted to be a judge ever since I was a young child. Growing up, I have always been interested in Corrections and the Criminal Justice System, and my interest in it has only continued to grow, especially since I entered college. I am currently majoring in Criminal Justice and minoring in Sociology. I have constantly learned new and interesting information, regarding laws and the ins ad outs of the Criminal Justice System. After graduating with my undergraduate degree, I want to continue into law school, and afterward become a lawyer specializing in Criminal Law. A large goal of mine is to be a part of the increase of representation within the legal system; I think it is important to have more people who look like me or come from a similar background working to better the system. This scholarship would help me continue on the path to do just that. I plan on making a difference in my community, especially as a large portion of those within the system or looking for justice in it are African American individuals. While the Criminal Justice System does work, it has been proven time and time again to be deeply flawed. Although I am one person, I do believe I can truly make enough of a difference to help correct some of the errors within it, or at the very least, begin taking the steps needed for action. If enough people worked towards the goal of fixing corruption and other issues, I fully believe that the legal system could be better than ever. Right now academically, I am striving to achieve Dean's List, as well as continue to excel in my classes, as they offer me valuable insight and information that I will eventually be able to use in the workforce. I try to be of help to my community whenever possible. Recently, my family and I helped to send off underprivileged girls to prom. Our goal was to help girls who grew up in foster care or cannot afford prom, have the experience of their dreams. We purchased dresses and shoes of their choice, provided them with hair and makeup, and provided them with little care packages as we sent them off. All and all, it was a terrific experience, and I felt honored to have the opportunity to play such a pivotal role in so many young girls' lives,

My “why” is my family, mainly my grandmother. We always discussed me graduating and going to college, as well as me furthering my education farther than her and much of my family have. However, Christmas Eve she unexpectedly passed away after contracting Covid-19. Her passing was truly my first experience with grief, and it has taken me a while to process it. In the following months, her death, coupled with the loneliness caused by the pandemic caused me reach one of the lowest points in my life. Eventually trying to balance my mental health, school, and grief was too difficult, and I found myself struggling with my self-esteem because I procrastinated constantly. I lacked motivation to do anything, even to just exist. The only reason I continued to do my work was because I was and am still afraid of failure. I felt like no one really understood how I felt, even my own family. I recently realized one of the best ways I could honor my grandmother would be to graduate with good grades and continue to obtain a higher education. I finished my junior year with the best grades I have had so far in my high school career. I hope to one-up myself this year and receive even better grades. Although, I wish my grandmother was here to see me go through life, I know that she is extremely proud of me and, that is one of the main reasons that I push myself to keep persevering. By continuing to excel in school, I am not only doing it for myself, but for others in my family. Being the oldest niece in my family, I am always reminded how I have multiple people looking up to me (my younger cousins) and how I must set a good example to them in all walks of life. Not only am I setting an example for the youngest in my family but, I am setting one for the older members as well. Because I am doing well, I am encouraging them to return to school and seek higher learning too. Specifically, my mom. Being as she is an immigrant; she did not get the opportunity to seek higher learning. Me doing so well has encouraged her to eventually return to and finish schooling as well. I am proud that I inspire people in such a way that they want to better themselves also.