I will become the second person in my family to attend and graduate from any college, but more importantly from an HBCU, specifically Howard University. My aunt and I were raised as sisters and I witnessed her excel and grow while getting her education there. She graduated in the top 3% of Biology majors in 2010, a recipient of the Howard Legacy Scholarship. My first visit to Howard was during her Freshman Week, where I met administrators, Deans, and a Department Chair. I attended the legacy presentation, and toured the campus. I was in elementary school then, yet everyone made me feel special by referring to me as a future student. They immediately made us feel like members of the extended Howard family. Howard left a lasting impression with me and my family, and for me, there was no question that I wanted to attend an HBCU through Howard. I will follow my aunt and try to achieve her many accomplishments (Phi Beta Kappa, Dance Team, Competition coordinator, international travel scholarship to Ecuador and Senegal), but I have my own unique sense of direction and characteristics that I am eager to demonstrate at Howard.

I look forward to the academic challenges that await me at Howard. I'll join the ranks of the many past and present HBCU and Howard graduates who became leaders in their fields from science, business, and government, to the fine arts. I've received the 2015 Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans Scholarship, representing Williston High School in North Dakota. This scholarship supports deserving young people who have overcome adversity and are now pursuing their dreams through higher education. I am a member of the National Honor Society, attaining a 4.0 GPA my senior year with an overall 3.5 GPA. I have been an honor roll student throughout my entire high school career.

While I'm undecided about the direction of my professional career, I know an HBCU education at Howard will be instrumental in reinforcing my continuing personal goals of succeeding academically and being a role model to others, reaching back to give back, and to inspire others through my example of focusing on family and community. I received recognition by my high school principal, when I brought to his attention the importance of African American history and the lack of diversity discussions at the school. He asked me to research, develop, and make a presentation to the student body and teachers during Black History Month. I did this each year, where I held awareness exercises, including students not using any product, nor service that was invented or discovered by an African American for one week. I gave daily announcements during Black History Month on our many historical figures, their achievements, and the many obstacles they faced. Hopefully, the race relation awareness and the salute to the contributions of a diverse America it will remain in place there long after I graduate. I know that Howard will enhance my drive to continue to create and foster positive attitudes throughout our community and others.

HBCUs instill the benefits and importance of being an active role model, which I experienced as a member of Maywood Fine Art 'Get Off the Streets and On Your Feet' (GOTS), GOTS, a youth leadership/violence awareness program for teens and preteens. Our mission was to combat escalating rates of drug activity, gang involvement, and teen pregnancies by providing enriching alternative activities. GOTS reached more than 3,500 children in Maywood, Illinois. I want to be one of the 100% of GOTS youth leaders to have gone to college, since its inception in 2002, In North Dakota, I mentor incoming students in their acclimation to the high school experience. I've also tutored elementary school students in grades 1-6. I volunteered with the Williston Salvation Army, responsible for logging, organizing, and pricing items for consumer sales. I am the chosen 'Ambassador of TuTu' representing my dance studio in organizing and coordinating donated dance apparel to disadvantaged countries. I will always involve myself in community service. I know that an HBCU background, can only elevate my determination to do so

I'll bring leadership and team building skills to Howard as I did as a new student my sophomore year at Williston High School. I was elected by my peers to serve as Vice President of Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), responsible for promoting leadership and community service through family, consumer science, and education to FCCLA members throughout the state of North Dakota . Junior year, I was elected as the first African American FCCLA District President to oversee and initiate leadership programs for students in five FCCLA member high schools. I'm currently the FCCLA Chapter President, elected to work closely with other FCCLA team leaders, locally and at conventions in Tennessee and Texas.

I face limitations as welcome challenges. In spite of having surgery to correct scoliosis curvature of the spine, I have competed in track during my freshman through junior years, and I continue to dance at a competitive level. I currently perform with my dance team at district and national competitions.

I know that the HBCU experience at Howard University will enhance my community and collegiate family values. It will be very difficult for me to continue my education without financial assistance. I submit this application in an attempt to lessen the financial burden on my single parent household, where college is an obligation, rather than an option. This scholarship will go a long way in ensuring me the HBCU experience at Howard University to last a lifetime. In return, I will use that privilege to represent HBCU traditions and the historic legacy of Howard long after I graduate. It would be an honor to have my family's legacy continue through me at Howard University.

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	"Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he or she has overcome while trying to succeed." - Booker T. Washington Tagged by Ralph White on 03/16/2015
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