From Service to Impact by Deanya

From Service to Impact by Deanya - April 2026 Scholarship Essay

One skill I hope to master in the next few years is program development and community leadership.I wanna learn how to design and lead initiatives that create actual lasting impact for people, especially students who don’t have access to resources and opportunities.

This skill is very important to me because I have seen firsthand how many students, including myself, have struggled to find ways to get involved, gain experience, or receive support. That experience pushed me to start creating opportunities for others through my own volunteer club, The Give Back Project, and joining groups like Youth Commissioners and Youth Advisory Council Internship. However, I want to go further by learning how to build programs that are not just helpful in the moment, but are able to help people over long period of times.

To develop this skill, I plan to study public relations at Clark Atlanta University while gaining hands-on experience through leadership roles in my school and community. I will continue my volunteer program and continue organizing service initiatives, expanding my outreach, and learning how to plan, fund, and manage programs effectively. I also want to seek mentorship and learn from organizations that successfully serve communities like mine.

By mastering program development and leadership, I will be able to create actual consistent opportunities, provide meaningful resources, and build systems that support people long-term. I don’t wanna just help for now, I want the resources and opportunities I create to be there for forever.