I did not have the best homelife growing up, and the idea of "getting out" became the catalyst for my academic achievements. I applied myself so much that I was accepted into the Johnston County Early Collage Academy program. I continued to work hard because I knew (and still know now) that it would pay off. However, it wasn't always easy. As you can imagine I have faced a lot of mental hurdles because of my past trauma. I have been diagnosed with PTSD and depression. But as I have started on my healing journey, I learned that there is a life outside of my trauma. I can build the life I never had as a child, which is why I have worked so hard in school. When I was younger and lived with my aunt, I had a therapist that would come visit me at school and at home. Occasionally she would take me to the park or to get ice cream (with my aunt's permission). It was in those moments that I felt like I was able to escape my reality and just be a kid. I had someone there to listen to me and believed me. I had someone who cared for me and helped me understand that what happened to me was not ok. In those moments when I met with my therapist that I felt peace. I want to provide that same support that I received, which is why I am working towards a master's in psychology/ social work. I want to be an advocate for children who feel that they aren't seen or heard. I want to be able to give the same peace and assurance to a child in need. In a professional lens, I am working towards being a child therapist. But I don't want to wait until then to make an impact, which is why I started serving as a youth leader at my church. So far, I have been able to give youth girls a safe space to talk about their struggles. However, I still am determined to get licensed as a therapist. I hope to continue to make a difference, and with this scholarship, I can continue my education and earn my degree in the mental health field.

I did not have the best homelife growing up, and the idea of "getting out" became the catalyst for my academic achievements. I applied myself so much that I was accepted into the Johnston County Early Collage Academy program. I continued to work hard because I knew (and still know now) that it would pay off. However, it wasn't always easy. In addition to the academic challenges, I also had to take on responsibilities at home, stepping in for absent parents to care for my younger sister. The memories of witnessing violence between my parents and living in squalor are etched into my mind. Yet, even in the midst of despair, I clung to the hope of a better life. As you can imagine I have faced a lot of mental hurdles because of my past trauma. I have been diagnosed with PTSD and depression. But as I have started on my healing journey, I learned that there is a life outside of my trauma. I can build the life I never had as a child, which is why I have worked so hard in school. When I was younger and lived with my aunt, I had a therapist that would come visit me at school and at home. Occasionally she would take me to the park or to get ice cream (with my aunt's permission). It was in those moments that I felt like I was able to escape my reality and just be a kid. I had someone there to listen to me and believed me. I had someone who cared for me and helped me understand that what happened to me was not ok. In those moments when I met with my therapist that I felt peace. I want to provide that same support that I received, which is why I am working towards a master's in psychology/ social work. I want to be an advocate for children who feel that they aren't seen or heard. I want to be able to give the same peace and assurance to a child in need. In a professional lens, I am working towards being a child therapist. But I don't want to wait until then to make an impact, which is why I started serving as a youth leader at my church. So far, I have been able to give youth girls a safe space to talk about their struggles. However, I still am determined to be a licensed therapist. I hope to continue to make a difference, and with this scholarship, I can continue my education and earn my degree in the mental health field.

I did not have the best homelife growing up, and the idea of "getting out" became the catalyst for my academic achievements. I applied myself so much that I was accepted into the Johnston County Early Collage Academy program. I continued to work hard because I knew (and still know now) that it would pay off. However, it wasn't always easy. In addition to the academic challenges, I also had to take on responsibilities at home, stepping in for absent parents to care for my younger sister. The memories of witnessing violence between my parents and living in squalor are etched into my mind. Yet, even in the midst of despair, I clung to the hope of a better life. As you can imagine I have faced a lot of mental hurdles because of my past trauma. I have been diagnosed with PTSD and depression. But as I have started on my healing journey, I learned that there is a life outside of my trauma. I can build the life I never had as a child, which is why I have worked so hard in school. When I was younger and lived with my aunt, I had a therapist that would come visit me at school and at home. Occasionally she would take me to the park or to get ice cream (with my aunt's permission). It was in those moments that I felt like I was able to escape my reality and just be a kid. I had someone there to listen to me and believed me. I had someone who cared for me and helped me understand that what happened to me was not ok. In those moments when I met with my therapist that I felt peace. I want to provide that same support that I received, which is why I am working towards a master's in psychology/ social work. I want to be an advocate for children who feel that they aren't seen or heard. I want to be able to give the same peace and assurance to a child in need. In a professional lens, I am working towards being a child therapist. But I don't want to wait until then to make an impact, which is why I started serving as a youth leader at my church. So far, I have been able to give youth girls a safe space to talk about their struggles. However, I still am determined to get licensed as a therapist. I hope to continue to make a difference, and with this scholarship, I can continue my education and earn my degree in the mental health field.

Students face an immense amount of pressure in the realm of academics. We are all held to a standard that can feel overwhelming at times. For some students, it isn't just about the pressures of school; there can be pressure at home too. For me, this is the case. I did not have the best homelife growing up, and the idea of "getting out" became the catalyst for my academic achievements. I applied myself so much that I was accepted into the Johnston County Early Collage Academy program. I continued to work hard because I knew (and still know now) that it would pay off. However, it wasn't always easy. On top of the effort demanded by the program I had been accepted into, there was an effort I had to put in at home too. There was many times my mother and my father were absent and I had to step in for me and my younger sister. Cooking dinner and making sure my sister brushed her teeth are just a couple examples of the amount of responsibility I had faced at a young age. Going back even further, I remember witnessing violence between my parents before I was even in first grade. The house we lived in at the time was never clean. It bore blankets nailed to windows which blocked out all the light ever created, and cat feces speckled on the floors. I felt terribly depressed unless I was at my grandma or my aunt's house. But even there I felt despair too. Before I was in elementary school my parents would drop me off at one of their houses and it would be weeks before I would see them again. I loved spending time with my aunt and my grandma, but I always wondered when I would see my parents again. As you can imagine I have faced a lot of mental hurdles because of my past trauma. I have been diagnosed with PTSD and depression. But as I have started on my healing journey, I learned that there is a life outside of my trauma. I learned that I could build the life I never had as a child, which is why I have worked so hard in school. I believe mental health is so important to recognize, which is why I am working towards a masters in psychology/ social work. I want to be an advocate for children who feel that they aren't seen or heard. In a professional lens, I am working towards being a child therapist. But I don't want to wait until then to make an impact, which is why I started serving as a youth leader at my church. I hope to continue to make a difference, and with this scholarship, I can continue my education and earn my degree in the mental health field.

Through furthering my education, I believe that I can help future generations. I did not have the best childhood. I was handed an immense amount of responsibility at a young age and I even had to care for my younger sister. On top of that there was violence exhibited on a regular basis. However, these challenges motivated me to create a better life for myself and break the cycle of addiction and violence. Ever since I could remember all I wanted was a normal and stable life. I want to give future generations that stability I never had. My motivation to pursue a higher education was instilled during middle school. I was accepted into Early College Academy where I have spent my high school years. The thought of giving future children the support that I lacked was what motivated me to be resilient. I am now at a more stable point in my life. But it’s not about me. There are many other children out there whom are facing abuse, neglect, and violence. I know I can’t completely erase that from their lives, but if I can be there for just a short period of time I know it will help. I know it will help to let them know that they aren’t alone and that they are loved and cared for despite what they may be facing. They may not be able to emotionally rely on the adults at home, but they can rely on a therapist. I know this because I experienced it first hand. I am at the conclusion of my program, and I plan to attain a masters in psychology or social work. I have always wanted to be a child therapist, and I believe that I have what it takes. My education is vital to not only my future, but the future of this world's youth. I had a therapist when I was very young. Although she couldn’t change my situation, she was there to support me and remind me of my value. She would come out-of-office to visit me, and for that short time period she was with me I felt a sense of relief and genuine care. I believe that there are many children who are currently and will eventually face similar challenges. Having a therapist can change their lives for the better. I know it changed mine, and I attribute the fact that I am still here writing this to my childhood therapist.

I myself am not addicted to any substances. But i grew up in a household where substance abuse was implemented. My mother has been an alcoholic for as long as I have been alive, and my father has been off and on pills and other various drugs. I'm sure this is no surprise to you, but because of my parent's addiction me and my younger sister grew up in a house full of dysfunction, violence, and abuse. I witnessed many arguments and police-calls at the very young age of 5. If I was not at my aunts or grandmas (which was 70% of the time) I was at home. A dark living room with cat feces (there were 10 cats total) and blankets nailed to the windows in an effort to shut out all light known to existence. Only the flashlight-like luminance of the TV yielded the horrid living conditions. On the couch either my mother or father laid passed out. The other parent was usually at work. Many times I would go with my dad after school to build fences, or sometimes they would simply forget to get me from school. So, as you can imagine I have a decade of PTSD I have been untangling. But despite all of that, I have persevered throughout my schooling. I have always been driven to provide a better life for myself and for future generations. Throughout my life I have had to demonstrate leadership but not always by choice. When my sister was born that was the start of my leadership. My parents did not have the tools or knowledge to be responsible parents, so I had to set a good example for not only my sister but for them. Having this kind of responsibility and pressure at a young age pushed me into a productive mindset. Although the situation was not ideal, I am thankful for it because it made me into who I am now. I was always told that if I want things to be better I need to work hard to get out of my situation. Throughout middle school I worked to keep all A’s and sought out tutoring on my own. I had to hold myself accountable because the adults in my life did not. If I had not had this motivation I would not have gotten into ECA. If I did not have a good work ethic I wouldn’t have been able to stay at ECA. Overall, I do wish I could have had some stability in my childhood. But in the end I am proud of myself because I have made the best out of my circumstances. Now as I continue to further my education, I can give myself and future generations that stability that is deserved.

Through furthering my education, I believe that I can help future generations. I did not have the best childhood. I was handed an immense amount of responsibility at a young age and I even had to care for my younger sister. On top of that there was violence exhibited on a regular basis. However, these challenges motivated me to create a better life for myself and break the cycle of addiction and violence. Ever since I could remember all I wanted was a normal and stable life. I want to give future generations that stability I never had. My motivation to pursue a higher education was instilled during middle school. I was accepted into Early College Academy where I have spent my high school years. The thought of giving future children the support that I lacked was what motivated me to be resilient. I am now at a more stable point in my life. But it’s not about me. There are many other children out there whom are facing abuse, neglect, and violence. I know I can’t completely erase that from their lives, but if I can be there for just a short period of time I know it will help. I know it will help to let them know that they aren’t alone and that they are loved and cared for despite what they may be facing. They may not be able to emotionally rely on the adults at home, but they can rely on a therapist. I know this because I experienced it first hand. I am at the conclusion of my program, and I plan to attain a masters in psychology or social work. I have always wanted to be a child therapist, and I believe that I have what it takes. My education is vital to not only my future, but the future of this world's youth. I had a therapist when I was very young. Although she couldn’t change my situation, she was there to support me and remind me of my value. She would come out-of-office to visit me, and for that short time period she was with me I felt a sense of relief and genuine care. I believe that there are many children who are currently and will eventually face similar challenges. Having a therapist can change their lives for the better. I know it changed mine, and I attribute the fact that I am still here writing this to my childhood therapist.

From a young age, I have been thrust into positions of leadership, often without any say in the matter. When my little sister was born, it became clear that my parents were not equipped to provide the kind of guidance and support we needed. I found myself stepping into the role of caretaker and mentor for both my sister and my parents. It was a heavy burden to bear, but it taught me the importance of setting a positive example and taking responsibility for those who depend on me. Despite the challenges I faced growing up, I am grateful for the lessons I learned early on. The pressure to succeed and provide stability for my family motivated me to work harder and strive for excellence in everything I did. I knew that if things were going to improve, I had to take matters into my own hands and create my own path to success. In middle school, I maintained a perfect academic record and sought out additional support through tutoring in order to stay on track. I had to hold myself accountable for my own education and well-being, as there was no one else to guide me along the way. This determination and work ethic were crucial in gaining admission to a competitive program like ECA (Early College Academy), and they continue to serve me well as I pursue my education and career goals. While I wish I had been able to enjoy a more stable childhood, I am proud of the resilience and strength I have developed as a result of my early experiences. As I work towards creating a better future for myself and future generations, I am committed to providing the stability and support that was lacking in my own upbringing. I am determined to break the cycle of hardship and uncertainty that has defined my family's past, and to create a brighter and more secure future for myself and those who come after me. This drive to succeed and create a better life for myself and my family has only grown stronger as I have progressed through high school and now into college. I have continued to excel academically, taking on leadership roles in extracurricular activities and seeking out opportunities for personal and professional growth. Outside of school, I have taken on part-time jobs to help support my family financially and gain valuable work experience. These experiences have further reinforced the importance of hard work, dedication, and resilience in the face of adversity. Looking ahead, I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and the potential for growth and success in my future. I am determined to use my past experiences as fuel to propel me towards my career goals and make a positive impact on the world around me. I believe that I can help children who are in similar positions that I was in. That is why I am pursuing a master's degree in psychology/ social work.