Continuing the Legacy by Grace

Continuing the Legacy by Grace - April 2024 Scholarship Essay

As a female Native American student I know by pursuing a higher education I am not just doing so for myself and my personal benefit, I am doing it as an extension of my people, and my family. This is my greatest motivation. It is because of my family, their sacrifices, perseverance, immense strength, and selflessness that I am able to represent them and continue their legacy through my education. It is my responsibility and privilege to advance my people. I know Native Americans make up less than 1% of college graduates and this statistic saddens me but also simultaneously gives me incredible strength and incentive to work even harder, I want to personally add to that statistic. I am a goal-oriented hard worker, I take pride in all of my work, and give it my all. My mental health is also very important to me and I stay balanced by maintaining a healthy social life by surrounding myself with other hardworking and encouraging peers who inspire me to become a better person. This motivation keeps my focused. Whenever I struggle with my drive I remember my family and my goals, this pushes me into a mindset of determination that keeps me focused in the hardest of times. As an urban Native American I’ve had to learn to adapt to both expectations of the reservations and of Western society in the big city. With this experience throughout my life, I have learned to understand people, cultures, beliefs, and how they make up and contribute to a greater diverse population. Diversity includes more than just culture because I also represent the strong women who came before me.
Apache women are strong-minded and respected leaders. I was raised understanding and respecting the accomplishments of my ancestors. Lozen the sister of Chief Victorio was a great Apache leader who I am proud to be a descendant of. With that in mind, I actively make it my dream to focus on my education.