My aspirations by Kierstin

My aspirations by Kierstin - August 2025 Scholarship Essay

This school year, one of my biggest goals is to mentor students between 5th and 8th grade. I grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana, where many young people don’t have the opportunities, outlets, or support systems they deserve. Often, there aren't enough after-school programs, mentorship opportunities, or safe spaces for kids to just be kids. Without positive influences, many of them get pulled into the wrong crowd or begin to lose sight of their potential. I’ve seen it firsthand, and that’s exactly why I feel so strongly about stepping in and being the person I once needed.

I want to give students something consistent to look forward to—someone who will show up for them, listen to them, and remind them that they are capable of more than they might believe. My goal is to create a safe space where they feel seen and heard. I want to talk to them about goals, school, mental health, and just life in general. Sometimes, all it takes is one person to say, “You matter. I believe in you,” to shift a young person’s entire path. I want to be that person.

My motivation comes from both my experiences and my long-term goals. Growing up, I didn’t always have someone who looked like me or who understood what I was going through. When I finally met adults who cared, teachers, mentors, and even a nurse I once shadowed, it made a huge difference in my life. I want to pay that forward by being the kind of person who can help a child feel more confident and empowered.

This experience also ties into what I want to do in the future. I’m currently studying nursing, and I hope to become a psychiatric or psychotherapy nurse practitioner one day. Mental health in young people, especially in underserved communities, is something I care deeply about. I also want to eventually start a nonprofit that helps children and families in need. Mentoring now is a step toward that future. It helps me build real connections and understand what support looks like at a community level.

I plan to mentor through school programs, community outreach, and possibly partner with local after-school groups or churches. I want to organize small group discussions, homework help sessions, and fun, confidence-building activities. I also plan to check in on them regularly, not just academically but emotionally too. Consistency and care go a long way when it comes to mentoring youth.

By the end of this school year, I hope at least one student walks away feeling more confident, more hopeful, and more motivated to pursue their own dreams. That alone would make it all worth it. But if I can help even more, I’ll know I’m moving in the right direction, toward building a future where young people, especially in communities like mine, are supported, believed in, and reminded of their worth every step of the way.