From My Mother’s Lessons to My Daughter’s Future by Danielle

From My Mother’s Lessons to My Daughter’s Future by Danielle - August 2025 Scholarship Essay

This school year, I aspire to continue maintaining my 4.0 GPA while balancing life as a full-time mom and graduate student. Returning to school has been one of the most empowering decisions of my life. I’m not just pursuing a degree—I’m proving to myself that I can thrive academically, professionally, and personally all at once.

What motivates me is both deeply personal and generational. I watched my mother pursue her master’s degree while working full-time as a nurse. Some nights, she brought me along to her night classes, and I’d run the halls of the campus while she chased her dreams. Without realizing it then, she planted a seed in me. Her example taught me that determination doesn’t wait for perfect timing—it grows in the middle of real life.

Now, I want to be that same example for my daughter. I want her to see that education is a lifelong journey and that commitment and passion can break down any barrier. I hope to use the knowledge I’m gaining to step further into leadership—guiding and mentoring others just as I was guided.

Once I complete my master’s degree, I plan to pursue my doctorate. I am determined to keep going—not just for myself, but for every young woman watching, waiting to be reminded that they can do anything.