Education Matters,So Help Me Matter

“Tough times don’t last, but tough people do.” I cannot help but think about all of the trials and tribulations that I have overcome. There were times I thought I was not going to make it, but always at the very last moment God have me the strength I needed to persevere. My experiences in life have molded a young woman who has become resilient, compassionate, a seeker of truth and knowledge and most importantly an unshakeable spirit. I could have let life defeat me, beat me down, break my spirit, but no way would I let my life be defined by the expectations or actions of those who let life beat them down.









I am an Independent High Senior and I currently live in a TLP (Transitional Living Program) for youth between the ages of 17 ½ to 21 who are under the care of the Illinois Department of Children & Family Services. If you still do not know what that means, it mean that I am living without a mother and father and stable income coming in. I am aware that there are scholarship out there for Ward of the State Children but not for ward of the state who are attending a university outside of their state. I mention earlier about how my trials and tribulation have help shaped me and I was not lying about that. I moved into my TLP during my Junior year and since I was able to maintained all A’s and B’s in all of my Honors and Advanced Placement classes, giving me a Weighted Grade Point Average of  4.2 and I have held a steady class rank of number 3 since my freshman year and now my senior year I am number 2 out of a class of 88. I have also had the opportunity to travel to Nicaragua  with the Build On Track for Knowledge Program to build a school, which really hit home for because I believe education is a stepping stone for success, so to know that I would be giving someone the key to their future success made me feel very happy.
I've also interned at a very prestigious Law-Firm in downtown Chicago called The Prinz Law-firm during my Junior and senior Year.  And as I get closer to the end of my high school career, I am extremely hopeful as I look forward to enrolling in the University of Northern Iowa in the fall of 2015.  Now, I have come to realize most of my circumstances growing up were a result of my mother not being in the best position to raise her children, but the best thing I have ever done for myself was to love her anyway.  I was fortunate enough to meet my biological mother in 2013 during a church service and I thanked her. Whether or not she knows, or even believes it, everything I have been through in my life up until this point has prepared me to for this moment. I feel fearless, empowered and unstoppable!  I love the young woman I am becoming! And all I am asking is for someone to find it in their heart to help me continue my education and support women empowerment by giving what every they can, even a $1 could help. THANK YOU!