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Gamaliel Pitkapaasi

935

Bold Points

1x

Nominee

1x

Finalist

1x

Winner

Bio

I have overcome many adversities throughout my life. I was born with Cerebral Palsy, so school districts put me in special classrooms. I had to prove I was just as smart as my typical peers. Almost every year since then I have won Honors Awards for high academics – all As and Bs. I was the first disabled person to wrestle for my middle school and my high school. I had to go through the foster care system multiple times. I have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I have never let these things get in my way. I want to work in the area of Trauma Psychology, helping people going through similar trauma issues. I’d like to work for a veterans’ hospital and I’d like to be there for abused children. I’ll understand where they’re coming from, unlike a person that hasn’t gone through trauma. I want to work in Forensics, figuring out if people are mentally competent to stand trial. There’s a very high correlation between being a foster child multiple times and being involved in the juvenile justice system. I want to make sure these young people get the treatment they need so they don’t repeat the same behaviors. Most commit crimes because they were abused, repeating their parents’ behaviors. They take out their anger on people around them, because they never learned how to cope with having a very short fuse. I want to work with juveniles, abused children, former foster children, veterans and those accused of committing crimes who need to be in the mental health system. I want to help put them on the right path.

Education

Plymouth-Whitemarsh Shs

High School
2018 - 2022

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Bachelor's degree program

  • Majors of interest:

    • Psychology, General
    • Criminology
    • Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
    • Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions
    • Public Health
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Mental Health Care

    • Dream career goals:

      Psychologist

      Sports

      Wrestling

      Varsity
      Present

      Future Interests

      Advocacy

      Volunteering

      Philanthropy

      Bold Make Your Mark Scholarship
      I have had to overcome many adversities throughout my life. I was born with Cerebral Palsy. Because of my disabilities, school districts put me in special classrooms. I had to prove that I was just as smart as my typical peers. Almost every year since then I have won Honors Awards for high academics – all As and Bs. I even became the first disabled person to wrestle for my middle school and my high school. I had to go through the foster care system multiple times. I have had to deal with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I have never let these things get in my way. I want to work in the area of Trauma Psychology, helping people going through similar trauma issues. I’d like to work for a veterans’ hospital and I’d like to be there for abused children. I’ll understand where they’re coming from, unlike a person that hasn’t gone through trauma. I want to work in Forensics, figuring out if people are mentally competent to stand trial. There’s a very high correlation between being a foster child multiple times and being involved in the juvenile justice system. I want to make sure these young people get the treatment they need so they don’t repeat the same behaviors. Most of them commit crimes because they went through abuse as children, repeating their parents’ behaviors. They take out their anger from their parents on people around them, because they never learned how to cope with having a very short fuse. I want to work with juveniles, abused children, former foster children, veterans and those accused of committing crimes who need to be in the mental health system. I want to help them learn to better control their emotions, to put them on the right path.
      Bold Independence Scholarship
      I want to be more independent because I don't like relying on other people to do everything for me. I have had to learn how to be more independent with my disabilities. I deal with a condition called Cerebral Palsy which makes simple tasks harder to do. Going to the rest room by myself; getting in and out of the shower by myself; feeding myself. If I don’t become more independent, I will never be able to live on my own, have my own family. I don’t want to have a job I hate for the rest of my life. I do want to have a job. If I live on Disabililty, I wouldn’t be able to make as much money as I would like to, so I wouldn’t be able to do as many things as I would like to do, such as buy my own house, have a nice truck, go on vacations with my family. I need to be independent to get my dream job of being a psychologist and helping others with mental health issues. I also want to prove to people that I’m not a vegetable that can’t do anything for myself.
      Bold Memories Scholarship
      I have had to overcome many adversities throughout my life. I was born with Cerebral Palsy. Because of my disabilities, school districts put me in special classrooms. I had to prove that I was just as smart as my typical peers. Almost every year since then I have won Honors Awards for high academics – all As and Bs. I even became the first disabled person to wrestle for my middle school and my high school. I had to go through the foster care system multiple times. I have had to deal with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I have never let these things get in my way. I want to work in the area of Trauma Psychology, helping people going through similar trauma issues. I’d like to work for a veterans’ hospital and I’d like to be there for abused children. I’ll understand where they’re coming from, unlike a person that hasn’t gone through trauma. I want to work in Forensics, figuring out if people are mentally competent to stand trial. There’s a very high correlation between being a foster child multiple times and being involved in the juvenile justice system. I want to make sure these young people get the treatment they need so they don’t repeat the same behaviors. Most of them commit crimes because they went through abuse as children, repeating their parents’ behaviors. They take out their anger from their parents on people around them, because they never learned how to cope with having a very short fuse. I want to work with juveniles, abused children, former foster children, veterans and those accused of committing crimes who need to be in the mental health system. I want to help them learn to better control their emotions, to put them on the right path.
      Bold Driven Scholarship
      I have had to overcome many adversities throughout my life. I was born with Cerebral Palsy. Because of my disabilities, school districts put me in special classrooms. I had to prove that I was just as smart as my typical peers. Almost every year since then I have won Honors Awards for high academics – all As and Bs. I even became the first disabled person to wrestle for my middle school and my high school. I had to go through the foster care system multiple times. I have had to deal with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I have never let these things get in my way. I want to work in the area of Trauma Psychology, helping people going through similar trauma issues. I’d like to work for a veterans’ hospital and I’d like to be there for abused children. I’ll understand where they’re coming from, unlike a person that hasn’t gone through trauma. I want to work in Forensics, figuring out if people are mentally competent to stand trial. There’s a very high correlation between being a foster child multiple times and being involved in the juvenile justice system. I want to make sure these young people get the treatment they need so they don’t repeat the same behaviors. Most of them commit crimes because they went through abuse as children, repeating their parents’ behaviors. They take out their anger from their parents on people around them, because they never learned how to cope with having a very short fuse. I want to work with juveniles, abused children, former foster children, veterans and those accused of committing crimes who need to be in the mental health system. I want to help them learn to better control their emotions, to put them on the right path.
      Shine Your Light High School Scholarship
      My name is Gamaliel Pitkapaasi and I am an eighteen-year-old former foster child. I have had to overcome many adversities throughout my whole life. I was born with Cerebral Palsy and I have had to deal with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Even though I have these disabilities and experiences, I have never let them get in the way of what I wanted to accomplish. I’ve done well in school for my whole school career. When I was young, because of my disabilities, my school districts assumed that I needed to be in special classrooms. I had to prove to them that I was just as smart as my typical peers. I became the first disabled person to wrestle for my middle school and for my high school. Almost every year since then I have won an Honors Award for high academics – all As and Bs. I’ve had to deal with mental health my whole life. I had to go through the foster care system multiple times. I want to help people that are going through similar trauma issues. I really like the high school Sociology class I took. That got me even more interested in this work than I already was. I want to work in the area of Trauma. I’d like to work for one of the veterans’ hospitals and I would like to be there for abused children. I think I’ll be good at it because I can understand where they’re coming from, unlike a person that hasn’t gone through that type of trauma. I also would like to work in Forensics, figuring out if people are mentally competent to stand trial. There is a very high correlation between being a foster child multiple times and being involved in the juvenile justice system. I want to make sure these young people get the treatment they need so they don’t keep repeating the same behaviors. Most criminals commit crimes because they went through abuse as children. Many of them repeat their parents’ behaviors. A lot of them take out their anger from their parents on people around them, because they never learned how to cope with having a very short fuse. I want to help them learn to better control their emotions and be better contributors to society. I want to work with juveniles from the foster care system, to put them on the right path. With my college degrees, I want to learn how to help the abused children, the former foster children, the veterans and those accused of committing crimes who need to be in the mental health system.
      Robert F. Lawson Fund for Careers that Care
      My name is Gamaliel Pitkapaasi and I am an eighteen-year-old former foster child. I have had to overcome many adversities throughout my whole life. I was born with Cerebral Palsy and I have had to deal with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Even though I have these disabilities and experiences, I have never let them get in the way of what I wanted to accomplish. I’ve done well in school for my whole school career. When I was young, because of my disabilities, my school districts assumed that I needed to be in special classrooms. I had to prove to them that I was just as smart as my typical peers. I became the first disabled person to wrestle for my middle school and for my high school. Almost every year since then I have won an Honors Award for high academics – all As and Bs. I’ve had to deal with mental health my whole life. I had to go through the foster care system multiple times. I want to help people that are going through similar trauma issues. I really like the high school Sociology class I took. That got me even more interested in this work than I already was. I want to work in the area of Trauma. I’d like to work for one of the veterans’ hospitals and I would like to be there for abused children. I think I’ll be good at it because I can understand where they’re coming from, unlike a person that hasn’t gone through that type of trauma. I also would like to work in Forensics, figuring out if people are mentally competent to stand trial. There is a very high correlation between being a foster child multiple times and being involved in the juvenile justice system. I want to make sure these young people get the treatment they need so they don’t keep repeating the same behaviors. Most criminals commit crimes because they went through abuse as children. Many of them repeat their parents’ behaviors. A lot of them take out their anger from their parents on people around them, because they never learned how to cope with having a very short fuse. I want to help them learn to better control their emotions and be better contributors to society. I want to work with juveniles from the foster care system, to put them on the right path. With my college degrees, I want to learn how to help the abused children, the former foster children, the veterans and those accused of committing crimes who need to be in the mental health system.
      Bold Growth Mindset Scholarship
      I always believe there are better ways to deal with certain things. If I'm trying to teach myself how to do something and if one thing doesn't work, I try to find a solution. I have to learn how to be more independent with my disabilities. I deal with a condition called Cerebral Palsy which makes simple tasks harder to do. Going to the rest room by myself; getting in and out of the shower by myself; feeding myself. I want to be more independent because I don't like relying on other people to do everything for me. I try to see things from other people's perspectives. If I'm talking to someone about a controversial subject, I always listen to both sides of the story and try to understand why that person thinks the way they do. When I was talking to my Mom about Biden being President again, I listened to her thoughts and I could understand where she was coming from. It's important to be open to new ideas because those new ideas can benefit you in your life. Even if an idea doesn't work for you, it could work for someone else in your life.
      Bold Passion Scholarship
      I have had to overcome many adversities throughout my life. I was born with Cerebral Palsy. Because of my disabilities, school districts put me in special classrooms. I had to prove that I was just as smart as my typical peers. Almost every year since then I have won Honors Awards for high academics – all As and Bs. I even became the first disabled person to wrestle for my middle school and my high school. I had to go through the foster care system multiple times. I have had to deal with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I have never let these things get in my way. I want to work in the area of Trauma Psychology, helping people going through similar trauma issues. I’d like to work for a veterans’ hospital and I’d like to be there for abused children. I’ll understand where they’re coming from, unlike a person that hasn’t gone through trauma. I want to work in Forensics, figuring out if people are mentally competent to stand trial. There’s a very high correlation between being a foster child multiple times and being involved in the juvenile justice system. I want to make sure these young people get the treatment they need so they don’t repeat the same behaviors. Most of them commit crimes because they went through abuse as children, repeating their parents’ behaviors. They take out their anger from their parents on people around them, because they never learned how to cope with having a very short fuse. I want to work with juveniles, abused children, former foster children, veterans and those accused of committing crimes who need to be in the mental health system. I want to help them learn to better control their emotions, to put them on the right path.
      Bold Goals Scholarship
      I have had to overcome many adversities throughout my life. I was born with Cerebral Palsy. Because of my disabilities, school districts put me in special classrooms. I had to prove that I was just as smart as my typical peers. Almost every year since then I have won Honors Awards for high academics – all As and Bs. I even became the first disabled person to wrestle for my middle school and my high school. I had to go through the foster care system multiple times. I have had to deal with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I have never let these things get in my way. I want to work in the area of Trauma Psychology, helping people going through similar trauma issues. I’d like to work for a veterans’ hospital and I’d like to be there for abused children. I’ll understand where they’re coming from, unlike a person that hasn’t gone through trauma. I want to work in Forensics, figuring out if people are mentally competent to stand trial. There’s a very high correlation between being a foster child multiple times and being involved in the juvenile justice system. I want to make sure these young people get the treatment they need so they don’t repeat the same behaviors. Most of them commit crimes because they went through abuse as children, repeating their parents’ behaviors. They take out their anger from their parents on people around them, because they never learned how to cope with having a very short fuse. I want to work with juveniles, abused children, former foster children, veterans and those accused of committing crimes who need to be in the mental health system. I want to help them learn to better control their emotions, to put them on the right path.
      Bold Turnaround Story Scholarship
      I have had to overcome many adversities throughout my life. I was born with Cerebral Palsy. Because of my disabilities, school districts put me in special classrooms. I had to prove that I was just as smart as my typical peers. Almost every year since then I have won Honors Awards for high academics – all As and Bs. I even became the first disabled person to wrestle for my middle school and my high school. I had to go through the foster care system multiple times. I have had to deal with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I have never let these things get in my way. I want to work in the area of Trauma Psychology, helping people going through similar trauma issues. I’d like to work for a veterans’ hospital and I’d like to be there for abused children. I’ll understand where they’re coming from, unlike a person that hasn’t gone through trauma. I want to work in Forensics, figuring out if people are mentally competent to stand trial. There’s a very high correlation between being a foster child multiple times and being involved in the juvenile justice system. I want to make sure these young people get the treatment they need so they don’t repeat the same behaviors. Most of them commit crimes because they went through abuse as children, repeating their parents’ behaviors. They take out their anger from their parents on people around them, because they never learned how to cope with having a very short fuse. I want to work with juveniles, abused children, former foster children, veterans and those accused of committing crimes who need to be in the mental health system. I want to help them learn to better control their emotions, to put them on the right path.
      HPF-RYW Orange Heart Scholarship
      My name is Gamaliel Pitkapaasi and I am an eighteen-year-old former foster child. I have had to overcome many adversities throughout my whole life. I was born with Cerebral Palsy and I have had to deal with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Even though I have these disabilities and experiences, I have never let them get in the way of what I wanted to accomplish. I’ve done well in school for my whole school career. When I was young, because of my disabilities, my school districts assumed that I needed to be in special classrooms. I had to prove to them that I was just as smart as my typical peers. I became the first disabled person to wrestle for my middle school and for my high school. Almost every year since then I have won an Honors Award for high academics – all As and Bs. I’ve had to deal with mental health my whole life. I had to go through the foster care system multiple times. I want to help people that are going through similar trauma issues. I really like the high school Sociology class I took. That got me even more interested in this work than I already was. I want to work in the area of Trauma. I’d like to work for one of the veterans’ hospitals and I would like to be there for abused children. I think I’ll be good at it because I can understand where they’re coming from, unlike a person that hasn’t gone through that type of trauma. I also would like to work in Forensics, figuring out if people are mentally competent to stand trial. There is a very high correlation between being a foster child multiple times and being involved in the juvenile justice system. I want to make sure these young people get the treatment they need so they don’t keep repeating the same behaviors. Most criminals commit crimes because they went through abuse as children. Many of them repeat their parents’ behaviors. A lot of them take out their anger from their parents on people around them, because they never learned how to cope with having a very short fuse. I want to help them learn to better control their emotions and be better contributors to society. I want to work with juveniles from the foster care system, to put them on the right path. With my college degrees, I want to learn how to help the abused children, the former foster children, the veterans and those accused of committing crimes who need to be in the mental health system.
      Bold Selfless Acts Scholarship
      I have had to overcome many adversities throughout my life. I was born with Cerebral Palsy. Because of my disabilities, school districts put me in special classrooms. I had to prove that I was just as smart as my typical peers. Almost every year since then I have won Honors Awards for high academics – all As and Bs. I even became the first disabled person to wrestle for my middle school and my high school. I had to go through the foster care system multiple times. I have had to deal with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I have never let these things get in my way. I want to work in the area of Trauma Psychology, helping people going through similar trauma issues. I’d like to work for a veterans’ hospital and I’d like to be there for abused children. I’ll understand where they’re coming from, unlike a person that hasn’t gone through trauma. I want to work in Forensics, figuring out if people are mentally competent to stand trial. There’s a very high correlation between being a foster child multiple times and being involved in the juvenile justice system. I want to make sure these young people get the treatment they need so they don’t repeat the same behaviors. Most of them commit crimes because they went through abuse as children, repeating their parents’ behaviors. They take out their anger from their parents on people around them, because they never learned how to cope with having a very short fuse. I want to work with juveniles, abused children, former foster children, veterans and those accused of committing crimes who need to be in the mental health system. I want to help them learn to better control their emotions, to put them on the right path
      Bold Persistence Scholarship
      I have had to use persistence to overcome many adversities throughout my life. I was born with Cerebral Palsy. Because of my disabilities, school districts put me in special classrooms. I had to prove that I was just as smart as my typical peers. Almost every year since then I have won Honors Awards for high academics – all As and Bs. I even became the first disabled person to wrestle for my middle school and my high school. I had to go through the foster care system multiple times. I have had to deal with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I have never let these things get in my way. I want to work in the area of Trauma Psychology, helping people going through similar trauma issues. I’d like to work for a veterans’ hospital and I’d like to be there for abused children. I’ll understand where they’re coming from, unlike a person that hasn’t gone through trauma. I want to work in Forensics, figuring out if people are mentally competent to stand trial. There’s a very high correlation between being a foster child multiple times and being involved in the juvenile justice system. I want to make sure these young people get the treatment they need so they don’t repeat the same behaviors. Most of them commit crimes because they went through abuse as children, repeating their parents’ behaviors. They take out their anger from their parents on people around them, because they never learned how to cope with having a very short fuse. I want to work with juveniles, abused children, former foster children, veterans and those accused of committing crimes who need to be in the mental health system. I want to help them learn to better control their emotions, to put them on the right path
      Bold Hope for the Future Scholarship
      My name is Gamaliel Pitkapaasi and I am an eighteen-year-old former foster child. I have had to overcome many adversities throughout my whole life. I was born with Cerebral Palsy and I have had to deal with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Even though I have these disabilities and experiences, I have never let them get in the way of what I wanted to accomplish. I’ve done well in school for my whole school career. When I was young, because of my disabilities, my school districts assumed that I needed to be in special classrooms. I had to prove to them that I was just as smart as my typical peers. I became the first disabled person to wrestle for my middle school and for my high school. Almost every year since then I have won an Honors Award for high academics – all As and Bs. I’ve had to deal with mental health my whole life. I had to go through the foster care system multiple times. I want to help people that are going through similar trauma issues. I really like the high school Sociology class I took. That got me even more interested in Psychology than I already was. I want to work in the area of Trauma Psychology. I’d like to work for one of the veterans’ hospitals and I would like to be there for abused children. I think I’ll be good at it because I can understand where they’re coming from, unlike a person that hasn’t gone through that type of trauma. I also would like to work in Forensics, figuring out if people are mentally competent to stand trial. There is a very high correlation between being a foster child multiple times and being involved in the juvenile justice system. I want to make sure these young people get the treatment they need so they don’t keep repeating the same behaviors. Most criminals commit crimes because they went through abuse as children. Many of them repeat their parents’ behaviors. A lot of them take out their anger from their parents on people around them, because they never learned how to cope with having a very short fuse. I want to help them learn to better control their emotions and be better contributors to society. I want to work with juveniles from the foster care system, to put them on the right path. Without higher education degrees, I can't learn how to be able to help the abused children, the former foster children, the veterans and those accused of committing crimes who need to be in the mental health system. I'm hoping to go to college to get my Bachelors' degree in Psychology, then to go to graduate school to get my PhD in Trauma Psychology. I believe I can make a difference in the world, and as my hopes and dreams are fulfilled I can fulfil the hopes and dreams of other struggling young people like me.
      Deborah's Grace Scholarship
      My name is Gamaliel Pitkapaasi and I am an eighteen-year-old former foster child. I have had to overcome many adversities throughout my whole life. I was born with Cerebral Palsy and I have had to deal with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Even though I have these disabilities and experiences, I have never let them get in the way of what I wanted to accomplish. I’ve done well in school for my whole school career. When I was young, because of my disabilities, my school districts assumed that I needed to be in special classrooms. I had to prove to them that I was just as smart as my typical peers. I became the first disabled person to wrestle for my middle school and for my high school. Almost every year since then I have won an Honors Award for high academics – all As and Bs. I’ve had to deal with mental health my whole life. I had to go through the foster care system multiple times. I want to help people that are going through similar trauma issues. I really like the high school Sociology class I took. That got me even more interested in Psychology than I already was. I want to work in the area of Trauma Psychology. I’d like to work for one of the veterans’ hospitals and I would like to be there for abused children. I think I’ll be good at it because I can understand where they’re coming from, unlike a person that hasn’t gone through that type of trauma. I also would like to work in Forensics, figuring out if people are mentally competent to stand trial. There is a very high correlation between being a foster child multiple times and being involved in the juvenile justice system. I want to make sure these young people get the treatment they need so they don’t keep repeating the same behaviors. Most criminals commit crimes because they went through abuse as children. Many of them repeat their parents’ behaviors. A lot of them take out their anger from their parents on people around them, because they never learned how to cope with having a very short fuse. I want to help them learn to better control their emotions and be better contributors to society. I want to work with juveniles from the foster care system, to put them on the right path. Without higher education degrees, I can't learn how to be able to help the abused children, the former foster children, the veterans and those accused of committing crimes who need to be in the mental health system. I'm hoping to go to college to get my Bachelors' degree in Psychology, then I'm planning to go to graduate school to get my PhD in Trauma Psychology.
      Normandie Cormier Greater is Now Scholarship
      My name is Gamaliel Pitkapaasi and I am an eighteen year old Puerto Rican former foster child. I have had to overcome many adversities throughout my whole life. I was born with Cerebral Palsy and I have had to deal with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and racism. Even though I have these disabilities and experiences, I have never let them get in the way of what I wanted to accomplish. I’ve done well in school for my whole school career. When I was young, because of my disabilities, my school districts assumed that I needed to be in special classrooms. I had to prove to them that I was just as smart as my typical peers. I became the first disabled person to wrestle for my middle school and for my high school. Almost every year since then I have won an Honors Award for high academics – all As and Bs. I’ve had to deal with mental health my whole life. I had to go through the foster care system multiple times. I want to help people that are going through similar trauma issues. I really like the high school Sociology class I took. That got me even more interested in Psychology than I already was. I want to work in the area of Trauma Psychology. I’d like to work for one of the veterans’ hospitals and I would like to be there for abused children. I think I’ll be good at it because I can understand where they’re coming from, unlike a person that hasn’t gone through that type of trauma. I also would like to work in Forensics, figuring out if people are mentally competent to stand trial. There is a very high correlation between being a BIPOC child, a former foster child multiple times, and being involved in the juvenile justice system. I want to make sure these young people get the treatment they need so they don’t keep repeating the same behaviors. Most criminals commit crimes because they went through abuse as children. Many of them repeat their parents’ behaviors. A lot of them take out their anger from their parents on people around them, because they never learned how to cope with having a very short fuse. And so many more BIPOC individuals are accused of crimes. I want to help all of these individuals to learn to better control their emotions and be better contributors to society. I want to work with BIPOC juveniles from the foster care system, to put them on the right path. I'm hoping to go to college to get my Bachelors' degree in Psychology, then I'm planning to go to graduate school to get my PhD in Trauma Psychology. Without higher education degrees, I can't learn how to be able to help the BIPOC abused children, former foster children, veterans and those accused of committing crimes who need to be in the mental health system.
      Robert Lee, Sr. and Bernice Williams Memorial Scholarship
      My name is Gamaliel Pitkapaasi and I am an eighteen-year-old Puerto Rican former foster child. I have had to overcome many adversities throughout my whole life. I was born with Cerebral Palsy, and I have had to deal with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and racism. Even though I have these disabilities and experiences, I have never let them get in the way of what I wanted to accomplish. I’ve done well in school for my whole school career. When I was young, because of my disabilities, my school districts assumed that I needed to be in special classrooms. I had to prove to them that I was just as smart as my typical peers. I became the first disabled person to wrestle for my middle school and for my high school. Almost every year since then I have won an Honors Award for high academics – all As and Bs. I’ve had to deal with mental health my whole life. I had to go through the foster care system multiple times. I want to help people that are going through similar trauma issues. I really like the high school Sociology class I took. That got me even more interested in Psychology than I already was. I want to work in the area of Trauma Psychology. I’d like to work for one of the veterans’ hospitals and I would like to be there for abused children. I think I’ll be good at it because I can understand where they’re coming from, unlike a person that hasn’t gone through that type of trauma. I also would like to work in Forensics, figuring out if people are mentally competent to stand trial. There is a very high correlation between being a BIPOC child, a former foster child multiple times, and being involved in the juvenile justice system. I want to make sure these young people get the treatment they need so they don’t keep repeating the same behaviors. Most criminals commit crimes because they went through abuse as children. Many of them repeat their parents’ behaviors. A lot of them take out their anger from their parents on people around them, because they never learned how to cope with having a very short fuse. And so many more BIPOC individuals are accused of crimes. I want to help all of these individuals to learn to better control their emotions and be better contributors to society. I want to work with BIPOC juveniles from the foster care system, to put them on the right path. I'm hoping to go to college to get my Bachelors' degree in Psychology, then I'm planning to go to graduate school to get my PhD in Trauma Psychology. Without higher education degrees, I can't learn how to be able to help the BIPOC abused children, former foster children, veterans and those accused of committing crimes who need to be in the mental health system.
      LA Kids for Change Scholarship
      Winner
      My name is Gamaliel Pitkapaasi and I am an eighteen year old former foster child. I have had to overcome many adversities throughout my whole life. I was born with Cerebral Palsy and I have had to deal with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Even though I have these disabilities and experiences, I have never let them get in the way of what I wanted to accomplish. I’ve done well in school for my whole school career. When I was young, because of my disabilities, my school districts assumed that I needed to be in special classrooms. I had to prove to them that I was just as smart as my typical peers. I became the first disabled person to wrestle for my middle school and for my high school. Almost every year since then I have won an Honors Award for high academics – all As and Bs. I’ve had to deal with mental health my whole life. I had to go through the foster care system multiple times. I want to help people that are going through similar trauma issues. I really like the high school Sociology class I took. That got me even more interested in Psychology than I already was. I want to work in the area of Trauma Psychology. I’d like to work for one of the veterans’ hospitals and I would like to be there for abused children. I think I’ll be good at it because I can understand where they’re coming from, unlike a person that hasn’t gone through that type of trauma. I also would like to work in Forensics, figuring out if people are mentally competent to stand trial. There is a very high correlation between being a foster child multiple times and being involved in the juvenile justice system. I want to make sure these young people get the treatment they need so they don’t keep repeating the same behaviors. Most criminals commit crimes because they went through abuse as children. Many of them repeat their parents’ behaviors. A lot of them take out their anger from their parents on people around them, because they never learned how to cope with having a very short fuse. I want to help them learn to better control their emotions and be better contributors to society. I want to work with juveniles from the foster care system, to put them on the right path. Without higher education degrees, I can't learn how to be able to help the abused children, the former foster children, the veterans and those accused of committing crimes who need to be in the mental health system. I'm hoping to go to college to get my Bachelors' degree in Psychology, then I'm planning to go to graduate school to get my PhD in Trauma Psychology.