For DonorsFor Applicants
user profile avatar

Sheikess Johnson Bey

725

Bold Points

1x

Finalist

Bio

One of my biggest goals is to become a teacher in the same impoverished community I come from. I want to give back and be a positive influence on the next generation. I know firsthand the challenges that these kids face, and I believe that with the right guidance and support, they can overcome anything. I want to be that support for them, to help them see that their circumstances do not define their future. My journey has been a difficult one, but I am proud of the person I have become. I have overcome adversity through dedication, hard work, and therapy, and I am now focused on achieving my dreams and being a positive influence on those around me. My family and I may be living in low-income, but we have a plan and a goal to one day be better than we are today and help others do the same. I believe that with hard work, determination, and a strong support system, anything is possible. I am proof of that.

Education

Northeastern Illinois University

Bachelor's degree program
2020 - 2024
  • Majors:
    • Urban Studies/Affairs
  • Minors:
    • African Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
    • Social Work

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Master's degree program

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Civic & Social Organization

    • Dream career goals:

      Become a teacher

      Public services

      • Volunteering

        Universal Negro Improvement League — Volunteer/ Member/Chaplin
        2015 – Present

      Future Interests

      Advocacy

      Volunteering

      Philanthropy

      Entrepreneurship

      Harvey and Geneva Mabry Second Time Around Scholarship
      As I entered the world of parenting, I never imagined that I would find my calling in life through my stepson. When I first met him, he was 9 years old and could not read, count or speak in complete sentences. It was a daunting task, but I was determined to help him. Through countless hours of patience, love, and understanding, I taught him how to read and helped him catch up to his grade level. As he looked up at me one day while I dropped him off at school and suggested that I become a teacher, his words were simple. “You know what you should do?” “What?” I replayed with a puzzled look on my face. “You should be a teacher.” He said matter-of-factly. “Really!” surprised at what he said. “Yes! We need you.” I realized at that moment this was my true calling. I registered for school that same week, and I am now in my junior year on my way down the path to my purpose. My stepson’s journey has been full of challenges. He lost his mother at the age of 3 and was thought to have a developmental delay. His grandmother also tried to take him away from his father, causing further trauma in his life. However, with my help and guidance, he has been able to overcome these obstacles and has received 13 awards from his school for his academic achievements. It has been a long and difficult journey, but the rewards of watching him grow, learn, and become a confident young man have been worth it. The experience of helping my stepson learn how to read and seeing the positive impact it had on his life has been the driving force behind my decision to become a teacher. I want to help other children who may be struggling with similar challenges and provide them with the support and guidance they need to succeed. My stepson’s success has shown me the transformative power of education, and I want to be a part of that process for other children. Being a teacher is more than just a job; it is a calling. It requires patience, dedication, and a deep commitment to helping children learn and grow. As a teacher, I want to create a safe and nurturing environment where children feel valued and supported. I want to help them develop their skills, talents, and passions, and empower them to reach their full potential. Becoming a teacher is not an easy journey. It requires a lot of hard work, long hours, and a willingness to face challenges head-on. However, the rewards of being a teacher are immeasurable. Seeing the progress and success of my stepson has shown me that being a teacher is the most rewarding career I could have ever chosen. Receiving a scholarship would be incredibly beneficial for me as I pursue my education and career goals. As a junior in college, I am already facing the financial burden of student loans and the cost of living expenses. A scholarship would not only alleviate some of this financial stress but also allow me to focus more on my studies and career development. Moreover, as I continue on my journey to becoming a teacher, a scholarship would enable me to invest more in my education and take advantage of opportunities that might not otherwise be accessible to me. This could include attending professional development workshops, purchasing additional educational resources, or participating in service-learning opportunities that would enhance my teaching skills and ability to connect with students.
      Andrew Perez Mental Illness/Suicidal Awareness Education Scholarship
      life was not easy for me. I suffered from both physical and mental abuse at the hands of those who were supposed to love and protect me. As a result, I found myself living a risky lifestyle in early adulthood, experiencing more trauma along the way. But through dedication, hard work, and therapy, I was able to come out of it all and focus on my education. Now, as my fiancé works towards his G.E.D and my stepson talks about college at just 11 years old, I know that we are a family with a plan and a goal to one day be better than we are today and help others do the same. Growing up, I didn't have a lot of positive role models to look up to. My family struggled with addiction, poverty, and mental health issues, and the abuse I suffered only added to the chaos. But despite the odds against me, I was determined to rise above my circumstances. I knew that education was the key to a better life, and I worked hard to excel in school even as I faced significant challenges at home. As I got older, my life took a dangerous turn. I found myself in abusive relationships, turning to drugs and alcohol to numb the pain of my past. I was living a risky lifestyle, and I knew that something had to change if I wanted to have a future worth living for. I reached out for help and started therapy, working through the trauma of my childhood and learning healthy coping mechanisms to deal with the challenges of my present. Through therapy and hard work, I was able to turn my life around. I left the abusive relationships behind, and I focused on my education and my future. Today, I am proud to say that I am a college student with a bright future ahead of me. But more than that, I am proud to be a role model for my family. . Despite living in a low-income community, we have a plan and a goal to one day be financially stable and able to give back to others who are struggling. We believe that education is the key to success, and we are determined to use our own experiences to inspire others. My stepson is a perfect example of this. He struggled academically for years, but through hard work and dedication, he is now on track and talking about college at just 11 years old. I am so proud of him, and I know that his future is bright. As a family, we are all working towards a common goal: to be the best we can be and help others along the way. One of my biggest goals is to become a teacher in the same impoverished community I come from. I want to give back and be a positive influence on the next generation. I know firsthand the challenges that these kids face, and I believe that with the right guidance and support, they can overcome anything. I want to be that support for them, to help them see that their circumstances do not define their future. My journey has been a difficult one. I have overcome adversity through dedication, hard work, and therapy, and I am now focused on achieving my dreams and being a positive influence on those around me. My family and I may be living in low-income, but we have a plan and a goal to one day be better than we are today and help others do the same.
      Theresa Lord Future Leader Scholarship
      As an aspiring teacher, my educational goals are centered around my passion for educating and inspiring young minds. I have always known that I wanted to pursue a career in teaching, as I believe that education has the power to transform lives and make a positive impact on society. One of my main educational goals is to obtain a Bachelor's degree in Education, followed by a Master's degree in Education, to deepen my knowledge and expertise in the field. I also plan to participate in professional development opportunities, such as workshops and conferences, to stay updated with the latest research and best practices in education, and continuously improve my teaching skills. An obstacle that I have faced in my life is financial constraints. As a first-generation college student, I have had to overcome financial challenges to pursue my educational goals. This has included working part-time jobs, applying for scholarships and grants, and budgeting carefully to cover tuition fees and other expenses. Despite these challenges, I have learned the value of perseverance, determination, and resourcefulness. I have also developed strong time management and organizational skills, as I had to balance my academic responsibilities with part-time work and other commitments. This experience has taught me the importance of resilience and determination in pursuing my educational goals. It has also instilled in me a deep appreciation for the value of education and the opportunities it can provide. I am committed to overcoming obstacles and challenges that may come my way in my educational journey, and I am determined to achieve my goal of becoming a successful teacher who makes a positive impact on the lives of my students. In conclusion, my educational goals as an aspiring teacher are to obtain a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Education, and continuously improve my teaching skills through professional development. Despite facing financial obstacles, I have learned the value of perseverance and determination, and I am committed to achieving my educational goals and making a meaningful contribution to the field of education. So, my main educational goal is to overcome any obstacles and achieve my dream of becoming a highly skilled and dedicated teacher who makes a positive difference in the lives of my students. I am committed to continuous learning and growth, and I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead in my educational journey. I believe that with hard work, determination, and a strong support system, anything is possible. I am proof of that
      Deacon William E. Johnson Sr. Memorial Scholarship
      As I entered the world of parenting, I never imagined that I would find my calling in life through my stepson. When I first met him, he was 9 years old and could not read, count or speak in complete sentences. It was a daunting task, but I was determined to help him. Through countless hours of patience, love, and understanding, I taught him how to read and helped him catch up to his grade level. As he looked up at me one day while I dropped him off at school and suggested that I become a teacher, his words were simple. “You know what you should do?” “What?” I replayed with a puzzled look on my face. “You should be a teacher.” He said matter-of-factly. “Really!” surprised at what he said. “Yes! We need you.” I realized at that moment this was my true calling. I registered for school that same week, and I am now in my junior year and on my way down the path to my purpose. My stepson’s journey has been full of challenges. He lost his mother at the age of 3 and was thought to have a developmental delay. His grandmother also tried to take him away from his father, causing further trauma in his life. However, with my help and guidance, he has been able to overcome these obstacles and has received 13 awards from his school for his academic achievements. It has been a long and difficult journey, but the rewards of watching him grow, learn, and become a confident young man have been worth it. The experience of helping my stepson learn how to read and seeing the positive impact it had on his life has been the driving force behind my decision to become a teacher. I want to help other children who may be struggling with similar challenges and provide them with the support and guidance they need to succeed. My stepson’s success has shown me the transformative power of education, and I want to be a part of that process for other children. Being a teacher is more than just a job; it is a calling. It requires patience, dedication, and a deep commitment to helping children learn and grow. As a teacher, I want to create a safe and nurturing environment where children feel valued and supported. I want to help them develop their skills, talents, and passions, and empower them to reach their full potential. The rewards of being a teacher are immeasurable. Seeing the progress and success of my stepson has shown me that being a teacher is the most rewarding career I could have ever chosen. One of my biggest goals is to become a teacher in the same impoverished community I come from. I want to give back and be a positive influence on the next generation. I know firsthand the challenges that these kids face, and I believe that with the right guidance and support, they can overcome anything. I want to be that support for them, to help them see that their circumstances do not define their future.
      Maverick Grill and Saloon Scholarship
      Growing up as an African American female, life was not easy for me. I suffered from both physical and mental abuse at the hands of those who were supposed to love and protect me. As a result, I found myself living a risky lifestyle in early adulthood, experiencing more trauma along the way. Despite these challenges, I refused to let my past define me. With the support of my family and friends, I was able to turn my life around and focus on my education. Through dedication, hard work, and therapy, I was able to overcome the challenges of my past and focus on building a better future. With this scholarship, I could invest more time and resources into my education, allowing me to excel academically and achieve my goals. Additionally, the scholarship would provide a sense of validation for the hard work and dedication that I have put into my education and overcoming adversity in my life. It would show me that my efforts have not gone unnoticed and that others believe in my potential. Furthermore, winning this scholarship would have a ripple effect on my family. As my fiancé is working towards his G.E.D and my stepson talks about college at 11 years old, it would serve as a powerful example of the importance of education and the value of hard work. It would show them that anything is possible, even in the face of adversity and hardship. One of my biggest goals is to become a teacher in the same impoverished community I come from. I want to give back and be a positive influence on the next generation. I know firsthand the challenges that these kids face, and I believe that with the right guidance and support, they can overcome anything. I want to be that support for them, to help them see that their circumstances do not define their future. I did it with myself, I'm helping my family to grow out of their trauma and adversity, and I want to help others as well. In conclusion, my story is one of resilience and hope. I have faced significant challenges in my life, but I have refused to let them define me. Through hard work, dedication, and the support of my family and friends, I have been able to overcome adversity and pursue my dreams. I am grateful for any consideration that you may give to my application and thank you for the opportunity to share my story with you.