Single Mother's Education Scholarship

When at the age of 14 I found out I was pregnant I thought and felt as if my world along with my dreams had vanished forever. At this young age, I made the most important decision of my life when decided to move in with my father here to the United States and with his help and my stepmother's help, raise my son. I knew that moving here would allow me to try and continue to pursue my own dreams while giving my son a better chance to also accomplish all of his goals and dreams in the future. But this also meant leaving behind a whole life back in El Salvador and also some of the most important people for me, my mother and my siblings. Being a single, teenage mother in a new country while learning a new language was not easy; however, I wanted to stay strong and push through to show my son that no obstacle is too big if you really want something. In my case, I always knew I wanted to be in the medical field and help people. Especially those in my community who are oftentimes misunderstood and or underrepresented. That is why I took my first chance as soon as I could and started taking "academy" classes in high school because I thought this would give me a faster and easier path to becoming a nurse. That was not the case, I encountered so many adversities my way that made me question if this is what I really wanted, or if it would be worth the sacrifice and hard work afterall. During high school, I was able to take a Medical Assistant course and I then passed the exam to be certified. I hoped to get a job with this certification after graduating high school but because of my immigration status I was not able to and this quickly expired after 2 years. Then, when I finally got my immigration status on the works it was too late to renew this certification and that is when I decided to go back to school and pursue nursing. Being, the sole provider for my son meant I could only do school part-time and work full-time. It is for this reason that it has taken me almost 3 years to complete all of my nursing prerequisites and to finally apply and be accepted into a nursing program; which I am beyond excited to start this upcoming Fall. Every single choice I make I focus on what this would mean for my son’s future, because I want him to grow up and be able to accomplish any and every goal he has for himself with as little adversities as possible. I do not want him to have to choose to leave his most beloved people or have a better, brighter future. I focus on making sure I do my best to show him important values like perseverance and courage to work hard for what you want.

I have learned that resilience is key in a world of instability and chaos. Despite facing numerous challenges, I have consistently demonstrated a deep-seated desire for academic excellence, even amidst adversity. My life has been marked by numerous relocations, making it challenging to form long-term connections with friends. However, I have been able to use this experience to seek solace in school and perform at my best academically. At the age of 14, my life was turned upside down when my parents lost custody of my sisters and me. We were placed in a foster care nonprofit called Orangewood, which significantly altered my life. Through self-reflection and therapy, I have come to understand that forgiveness is an essential aspect of healing. I learned that forgiveness does not condone inappropriate behavior, but rather frees us from the weight of anger and resentment. As a single mother, my main priority is to provide my son with a stable home environment. This has meant making considerable sacrifices to ensure that my son attends the same school, thereby allowing him to thrive academically. I am driven to show my son that it is never too late to pursue his dreams and that anything is possible with hard work and dedication. In the future, I envision myself having grown both personally and professionally. I see myself in a fulfilling job that provides security and stability for my family. I see myself continuing to pursue my education and taking courses that will help me grow further. I envision my son excelling academically, with a deep love for learning. My experiences have shown me that it's not about what happens to you in life, but rather how you choose to respond to it. My response is strength, courage, and a steadfast determination to pursue my dreams and provide a stable future for my family. Winning this scholarship would be a tremendous help for me as a student pursuing a degree in accounting. As a single mother and a returning college student, finances are often tight, and balancing work and school can be a significant challenge. The scholarship would provide a much-needed financial boost that would enable me to focus on my studies without worrying about the financial burden. It would allow me to purchase necessary textbooks, pay for tuition and fees, and cover other educational expenses. In addition to the financial assistance, the scholarship would also be a great source of motivation for me. Knowing that my hard work and dedication are being recognized by a scholarship committee would inspire me to continue pushing myself academically and personally. Overall, winning this scholarship would be an incredible honor and an essential step toward achieving my academic and professional goals.