Simone Biles is not just an extraordinary athlete—she’s a powerful role model who changed the way I view both success and personal growth. The 2024 Summer Olympics, the last major event before I began college, became more than just a series of competitions; they were a source of life-changing lessons. Watching Simone compete, I was struck not just by her athleticism, but by her openness about her struggles with mental health. When she chose to step back from some events to prioritize her well-being, it wasn’t a sign of weakness—it was a bold statement about self-care in the face of immense pressure. Her decision to be transparent about the work she put into her mental health was a powerful reminder that true strength comes from within. Even more inspiring was how she lifted her teammates and competitors alike, showing genuine joy and support for everyone’s success. When Simone cheered on Danusia Francis from Jamaica, celebrating her victories just as much as her own, it showed me the importance of lifting others up, no matter where they’re from. Simone isn’t just an Olympic champion; she’s a champion for women supporting women. Her actions during the Olympics taught me invaluable lessons about resilience, self-care, and the power of community—lessons that gave me confidence as I transitioned into college, ready to face the unknowns with a mindful, supportive approach.

As a person of immense drive and unparalleled discipline, I find it only fitting to draw inspiration from the most capable and dedicated individual ever to grace the halls of Dunder Mifflin: Dwight K. Schrute. This show, "The Office," though often mislabeled as a mere comedy, is a profound study of workplace dynamics, leadership, and the relentless pursuit of success—traits I embody in my academic and personal life. Dwight Schrute is a man who understands that true excellence is achieved not through mere talent, but through rigorous preparation, attention to detail, and an unbreakable commitment to one's duties. Whether managing the complexities of beet farming or ensuring that the Scranton branch is operating at peak efficiency, Dwight’s approach is methodical, strategic, and relentless. I, too, approach my studies with the same level of intensity. A surprise quiz? Merely a test of my preparedness. A group project? An opportunity to demonstrate superior leadership skills. I believe, as Dwight does, that there is no challenge too great for someone prepared to meet it head-on. "The Office" has taught me the importance of balancing seriousness with humor, finding strength in the mundane, and maintaining an unwavering focus on success. Dwight’s ability to navigate the chaos of the office while maintaining his status as Assistant (to the) Regional Manager is nothing short of inspirational. His strategic mind and unyielding work ethic have shaped my own approach to academics, where I, like Dwight, strive to be the best in all I do, ensuring that my success is inevitable. As I pursue higher education and prepare to enter the professional world, I carry with me the lessons of Dwight Schrute: that leadership is earned through hard work, that excellence is achieved through relentless dedication, and that true success comes to those who are willing to outwork and outthink everyone else. In the words of Dwight, “Before I do anything, I ask myself, ‘Would an idiot do that?’ And if the answer is yes, I do not do that thing.” This simple yet profound philosophy guides me as I continue my journey toward excellence, prepared to face any challenge with the same determination and focus that defines the great Dwight K. Schrute.

The day my grandpa forgot my name was the day I made a promise to myself: I would dedicate my life to bringing awareness to dementia and Alzheimer’s and work in a field where I could help others who experience the same heartache I did. Before my grandpa’s dementia took over, we would sit on the porch every summer evening, and he would tell me stories about his childhood, things I’d never find in history books. His face would light up when he talked about the smell of freshly cut grass or the sound of kids playing. Those moments became precious memories as his mind began to slip away. The day he forgot my name felt like losing those stories again, and I vowed to keep his memory alive by helping others. My grandpa's battle with dementia wasn’t just a personal struggle; it was a journey of resilience and sacrifice. As his memory faded, I stepped in more, alongside my father, who became his primary caregiver. One evening, I found my dad holding my grandpa’s hand, exhausted after a tough day. At that moment, I understood that caregiving wasn’t just physically demanding—it drained your spirit too. But my dad never hesitated, showing me what true sacrifice looks like. This is the kind of dedication I want to bring into my future career, helping those who need it most. This experience solidified my desire to attend the University of Missouri to major in communications and psychology. I aim to work for nonprofit organizations that support families dealing with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other challenges requiring deep empathy and understanding. By combining these fields of study, I hope to effectively communicate important information, advocate for the voiceless, and contribute to research that will one day find a cure for these devastating conditions. Being a first-generation college student, I am acutely aware of the financial strain higher education places on my family. My younger sister and I are both in college, intensifying this pressure. I want to lift that weight off their shoulders, and this scholarship would make a world of difference. It would allow me to focus on my studies, contribute to research, and volunteer without constantly worrying about finances. Receiving this scholarship would enable me to carry on my grandpa's legacy of hard work and determination. I see myself helping families who are scared and overwhelmed, just like we were. My grandpa’s memory may have faded, but the lessons he taught me about resilience and love will live on in the work I do. With a degree in communications and psychology from Mizzou, I will be equipped to advocate for those who need it most, raise awareness about critical issues like dementia, and support underprivileged communities. My grandpa may have forgotten my name, but I will never forget the promise I made to honor his legacy and use my education to help others.

The day my grandpa forgot my name was the day I made a promise to myself: I would dedicate my life to bringing awareness to dementia and Alzheimer’s and work in a field where I could help others who experience the same heartache I did. Before my grandpa’s dementia took over, we would sit on the porch every summer evening, and he would tell me stories about his childhood, things I’d never find in history books. His face would light up when he talked about the smell of freshly cut grass or the sound of kids playing. Those moments became precious memories as his mind began to slip away. The day he forgot my name felt like losing those stories again, and I vowed to keep his memory alive by helping others. My grandpa's battle with dementia wasn’t just a personal struggle; it was a journey of resilience and sacrifice. As his memory faded, I stepped in more, alongside my father, who became his primary caregiver. One evening, I found my dad holding my grandpa’s hand, exhausted after a tough day. At that moment, I understood that caregiving wasn’t just physically demanding—it drained your spirit too. But my dad never hesitated, showing me what true sacrifice looks like. This is the kind of dedication I want to bring into my future career, helping those who need it most. This experience solidified my desire to attend the University of Missouri to major in communications and psychology. I aim to work for nonprofit organizations that support families dealing with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other challenges requiring deep empathy and understanding. By combining these fields of study, I hope to effectively communicate important information, advocate for the voiceless, and contribute to research that will one day find a cure for these devastating conditions. Being a first-generation college student, I am acutely aware of the financial strain higher education places on my family. My younger sister and I are both in college, intensifying this pressure. I want to lift that weight off their shoulders, and this scholarship would make a world of difference. It would allow me to focus on my studies, contribute to research, and volunteer without constantly worrying about finances. Receiving this scholarship would enable me to carry on my grandpa's legacy of hard work and determination. I see myself helping families who are scared and overwhelmed, just like we were. My grandpa’s memory may have faded, but the lessons he taught me about resilience and love will live on in the work I do. With a degree in communications and psychology from Mizzou, I will be equipped to advocate for those who need it most, raise awareness about critical issues like dementia, and support underprivileged communities. My grandpa may have forgotten my name, but I will never forget the promise I made to honor his legacy and use my education to help others.

The day my grandpa forgot my name was the day I made a promise to myself: I would dedicate my life to bringing awareness to dementia and Alzheimer’s and work in a field where I could help others who experience the same heartache I did. Before my grandpa’s dementia took over, we would sit on the porch every summer evening, and he would tell me stories about his childhood, things I’d never find in history books. His face would light up when he talked about the smell of freshly cut grass or the sound of kids playing. Those moments became precious memories as his mind began to slip away. The day he forgot my name felt like losing those stories again, and I vowed to keep his memory alive by helping others. My grandpa's battle with dementia wasn’t just a personal struggle; it was a journey of resilience and sacrifice. As his memory faded, I stepped in more, alongside my father, who became his primary caregiver. One evening, I found my dad holding my grandpa’s hand, exhausted after a tough day. At that moment, I understood that caregiving wasn’t just physically demanding—it drained your spirit too. But my dad never hesitated, showing me what true sacrifice looks like. This is the kind of dedication I want to bring into my future career, helping those who need it most. This experience solidified my desire to attend the University of Missouri to major in communications and psychology. I aim to work for nonprofit organizations that support families dealing with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other challenges requiring deep empathy and understanding. By combining these fields of study, I hope to effectively communicate important information, advocate for the voiceless, and contribute to research that will one day find a cure for these devastating conditions. Being a first-generation college student, I am acutely aware of the financial strain higher education places on my family. My younger sister and I are both in college, intensifying this pressure. I want to lift that weight off their shoulders, and this scholarship would make a world of difference. It would allow me to focus on my studies, contribute to research, and volunteer without constantly worrying about finances. Receiving this scholarship would enable me to carry on my grandpa's legacy of hard work and determination. I see myself helping families who are scared and overwhelmed, just like we were. My grandpa’s memory may have faded, but the lessons he taught me about resilience and love will live on in the work I do. With a degree in communications and psychology from Mizzou, I will be equipped to advocate for those who need it most, raise awareness about critical issues like dementia, and support underprivileged communities. My grandpa may have forgotten my name, but I will never forget the promise I made to honor his legacy and use my education to help others.

The day my grandpa forgot my name was the day I made a promise to myself: I would dedicate my life to bringing awareness to dementia and Alzheimer’s and work in a field where I could help others who experience the same heartache I did. Before my grandpa’s dementia took over, we would sit on the porch every summer evening, and he would tell me stories about his childhood, things I’d never find in history books. His face would light up when he talked about the smell of freshly cut grass or the sound of kids playing. Those moments became precious memories as his mind began to slip away. The day he forgot my name felt like losing those stories all over again, and I vowed to keep his memory alive by helping others. My grandpa's battle with dementia wasn’t just a personal struggle; it was a journey of resilience and sacrifice. As his memory faded, I stepped in more, alongside my father, who became his primary caregiver. One evening, I found my dad holding my grandpa’s hand, exhausted after a tough day. In that moment, I understood that caregiving wasn’t just physically demanding, but it drained your spirit too. But my dad never hesitated, showing me what true sacrifice looks like. This is the kind of dedication I want to bring into my future career, helping those who need it most. This experience solidified my desire to attend the University of Missouri to major in communications and psychology. I aim to work for nonprofit organizations that support families dealing with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other challenges requiring deep empathy and understanding. By combining these fields of study, I hope to effectively communicate important information, advocate for the voiceless, and contribute to research that will one day find a cure for these devastating conditions. Being a first-generation college student, I am acutely aware of the financial strain higher education places on my family. My younger sister and I are both in college, intensifying this pressure. I want to lift that weight off their shoulders, and this scholarship would make a world of difference. It would allow me to focus on my studies, contribute to research, and volunteer without constantly worrying about finances. Receiving this scholarship would enable me to carry on my grandpa's legacy of hard work and determination. I see myself helping families who are scared and overwhelmed, just like we were. My grandpa’s memory may have faded, but the lessons he taught me about resilience and love will live on in the work I do. With a degree in communications and psychology from The University of Missouri, I will be equipped to advocate for those who need it most, raise awareness about critical issues like dementia, and support underprivileged communities. My grandpa may have forgotten my name, but I will never forget the promise I made to honor his legacy and use my education to help others.

The day my great-grandpa forgot my name was the day I made a promise to myself: I would dedicate my life to bringing awareness to dementia and Alzheimer's, and to work in a field where I could help others who experience the same heartache I did. Before my grandpa’s dementia took over, we used to sit on the porch together every summer evening, a cherished ritual that became the highlight of my childhood. He’d tell me stories about his own childhood, painting vivid pictures of a world I could only imagine, tales of growing up during the Great Depression, of long, sun-drenched days working on the family farm, and of the simple joys that shaped his life. These were things I’d never find in history books, but they were priceless to me, a direct link to a past that felt alive through his words. I remember how his face would light up when he talked about the smell of freshly cut grass or the sound of the neighborhood kids playing baseball in the street. His eyes, usually clouded with age, would spark with the vitality of the memories he was sharing. It was those moments, filled with warmth and love, that I held onto tightly as his memory started slipping away. Each forgotten word, each confused look, felt like a piece of him was being lost to time. The day he forgot my name felt like losing those stories all over again, and that’s when I made the promise to keep his memory alive by helping others. I couldn’t bear the thought of other families going through this pain without the support they needed. My grandpa's battle with dementia wasn't just a personal struggle, but it became a journey of resilience, sacrifice, and profound life lessons that shaped the person I am today. As his memory faded, I found myself stepping in more alongside my father, who became his primary caregiver. One evening, I found my dad sitting by my grandpa’s side, holding his hand after a particularly tough day. The room was quiet except for the sound of my grandpa’s labored breathing. My dad didn’t say much, but the exhaustion in his eyes told me everything. His usually strong, confident demeanor was replaced with a look of vulnerability that I had never seen before. I realized then that caregiving wasn’t just physically demanding—it drained your spirit too, leaving emotional scars that take time to heal. But despite the toll it took, my dad never hesitated. He would always say, “Family comes first,” and he lived those words every day, even when it meant sacrificing his own well-being. That night, I understood what true sacrifice looks like, and it’s the kind of dedication I want to bring into my future career, helping others who need it the most. I want to be the person who steps in when others step back, offering support, compassion, and unwavering commitment to those who are vulnerable and in need of help. This experience cemented my desire to attend the University of Missouri to major in communications and psychology. With this degree, I aim to work for nonprofit organizations that provide support and resources to families dealing with dementia and Alzheimer's, as well as other challenges that require deep empathy and understanding. I believe that by combining these fields of study, I can effectively communicate important information, advocate for those who are often voiceless, and contribute to the research that will hopefully one day find a cure for these devastating conditions. My dream is to be on the front lines of this fight, ensuring that no one has to face these battles alone. Being a first-generation college student, I am acutely aware of the financial strain that higher education places on my family. My younger sister and I are both in college simultaneously, a situation that intensifies the pressure on our family's finances. I remember the quiet conversations my parents would have late at night, talking about how we were going to make college work for both me and my sister. We never went without, but I could see the strain it placed on them. They would often cut back on their own needs to ensure that we had everything we needed for school. I want to lift that weight off their shoulders, and this scholarship would make a world of difference. It would allow me to focus on my studies, contribute to research, and volunteer without constantly worrying about how we’re going to pay for it all. The opportunity to fully immerse myself in my education and extracurricular activities without the burden of financial stress would be invaluable. Receiving this scholarship would enable me to carry on my grandpa's legacy of hard work and determination. When I think about my future, I see myself sitting across from families who are scared and overwhelmed, just like we were. I want to be the person who can offer them hope and guidance, not just through my words, but through action. Working in a nonprofit, I can ensure that no one feels alone in their struggle, whether they’re dealing with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or other challenges that require support. My grandpa’s memory may have faded, but the lessons he taught me about resilience, love, and the importance of community will live on in the work I do. Attending college is more than just an academic pursuit for me; it is a chance to make a real difference in the world. With a degree in communications and psychology from Mizzou, I will be equipped to advocate for those who need it most, raise awareness about critical issues like dementia and Alzheimer's, and work tirelessly to support underprivileged communities. This scholarship would not only ease the financial burden on my family but would also empower me to focus on what truly matters: making an impact that will last long after I leave the classroom. My grandpa may have forgotten my name, but I will never forget the promise I made that day—to honor his legacy and use my education to help others, just as my family and community have always helped me.

The day my grandpa forgot my name was the day I made a promise to myself. I would dedicate my life to bringing awareness to dementia and Alzheimer's, and to work in a field where I could help others who experience the same heartache I did. Before my grandpa’s dementia took over, we used to sit on the porch together every summer evening. He’d tell me stories about his childhood, things I’d never find in history books. I remember how his face would light up when he talked about the smell of freshly cut grass or the sound of the neighborhood kids playing. It was those moments that I held onto as his memory started slipping away. The day he forgot my name felt like losing those stories all over again, and that’s when I made the promise to keep his memory alive by helping others. My grandpa's battle with dementia wasn't just a personal struggle; it became a journey of resilience, sacrifice, and profound life lessons. As his memory faded, I found myself stepping in more and more, alongside my father, who became his primary caregiver. One evening, I found my dad sitting by my grandpa’s side, holding his hand after a particularly tough day. He didn’t say much, but the exhaustion in his eyes told me everything. I realized then that caregiving wasn’t just physically demanding—it drained your spirit too. But despite the toll it took, my dad never hesitated. That night, I understood what true sacrifice looks like, and it’s the kind of dedication I want to bring into my future career, helping others who need it the most. This experience cemented my desire to attend the University of Missouri to major in communications and psychology. With this degree, I aim to work for nonprofit organizations that provide support and resources to families dealing with dementia and Alzheimer's, as well as other challenges that require deep empathy and understanding. I believe that by combining these fields of study, I can effectively communicate important information, advocate for those who are often voiceless, and contribute to the research that will hopefully one day find a cure for these devastating conditions. Being a first-generation college student, I am acutely aware of the financial strain that higher education places on my family. My younger sister and I are both in college simultaneously, a situation that intensifies the pressure on our family's finances. I remember the quiet conversations my parents would have late at night, talking about how we were going to make college work for both me and my sister. We never went without, but I could see the strain it placed on them. I want to lift that weight off their shoulders, and this scholarship would make a world of difference. It would allow me to focus on my studies, contribute to research, and volunteer without constantly worrying about how we’re going to pay for it all. Receiving this scholarship would enable me to carry on my grandpa's legacy of hard work and determination. When I think about my future, I see myself sitting across from families who are scared and overwhelmed, just like we were. I want to be the person who can offer them hope and guidance, not just through my words, but through action. Working in a nonprofit, I can ensure that no one feels alone in their struggle, whether they’re dealing with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or other challenges that require support. My grandpa’s memory may have faded, but the lessons he taught me about resilience and love will live on in the work I do. Attending college is more than just an academic pursuit for me; it is a chance to make a real difference in the world. With a degree in communications and psychology from Mizzou, I will be equipped to advocate for those who need it most, raise awareness about critical issues like dementia and Alzheimer's, and work tirelessly to support underprivileged communities. This scholarship would not only ease the financial burden on my family but would also empower me to focus on what truly matters: making an impact that will last long after I leave the classroom. My grandpa may have forgotten my name, but I will never forget the promise I made that day to honor his legacy and use my education to help others, just as my family and community have always helped me.