Astra Armstrong
Tax deductible
Human beings are judged by their deeds. Our experiences and achievements in life are what represent us. The amount of every person’s actions indicates the level of their integrity. However, in the area where I grew up, they often say another interesting thought: a person should be judged not only by their past, but by what they aspire to be. I believe that while my obstacles do not define me, I can use them to persevere.
When I was younger, my brothers were taken by Child Protective Services. My mother had a habit that she often prioritized over raising her children. I spent a lot of my childhood moving in and out of random shelters, sometimes not knowing if tomorrow's meal was promised. I would hold my mom when she was trying to fall asleep, hoping that I could wipe every tear. I was her backbone. I never aspired to be a mom, but sometimes I felt as though I was more of a mother to my mother than she was to me.
By the time I started high school, my mother was trying to get her life back on track. She just completed treatment at a rehabilitation center and started giving back by volunteering at a homeless shelter. She attended my school events and supported my artistic endeavors. I felt like I was getting my mother back. It also made me feel as if she knew that she didn’t have much longer to live.
It is through my family's rejection to partake in my life that I have come to a point in my life where I can really embrace myself and what I’ve been through. Not really having anyone around as A mother figure or having A strong support system made me reach adulthood much earlier than my peers. I looked at my mother and I listened to the struggles that she had to endure growing up. My mom was on drugs heavily and really wasn't able to take care of me, she was what people of higher authority called “ a unfit parent” but to the people in my neighborhood she was called “ a crackhead”. Coming home from school to a house of drug addicts and pimps was never what I imagined. I remember the killing of my mom like it was just yesterday. My dad came home from and just attacked us as if we hadn't already gone through enough. She just couldn't fight anymore . He pushed me down 3 flights of stairs causing me to be paralyzed in my left eye. For my mother, he fractured her skull , ribs and strangled her to death. The last words I remembered hearing him say to her before blanking out was “ If I can't have you, no one can” and that was the last time I had saw my mother. It is stories of trial and triumph in my life that motivate me and allow me to understand that I can be successful not matter where I come from or what my story might be.
The day my mother died, I promised her that I would not become a statistic. I recognized that her death was a sign from God. Through all the obstacles I had faced in life, God has and still is keeping his faith in me. I realized that it was time for me to start putting that type of faith in myself. I participated and gave back to my community every chance I got. I wanted to give back to those who had seen the courage and strength in me so I became a more active member of my community. By being a mentor and giving back to those in desperate need. In December 2016 I raised over $2000 to give a underprivileged family the christmas of their dreams. If I could prevent a child for feeling left out during christmas time , I was willing to do whatever that took. I started to see that playing small with the world limits the ability and authority that we have to change the lives of others.
I have chosen to surround myself with people that have the same values and ambitions as me, and that are educated, rather than just on the sole premise of race or ethnic background and I have I truly come to slowly understand who I am, what I will achieve and the lives that I will change.
Although I am comfortable with my identity today and the way the world is set up and how when my mom died people automatically thought I would fail , and dropout of school. I know that this is a lifelong process, and some things will continue to be defined and redefined long after my move into my later adult years but I am not ashamed of it. I am happy because not only am I living for my mom I am living for every little girl and boy who have been marginalized like me.
During my sophomore year of high school, I was given the opportunity to perform a spoken word piece with Dr. Maya Angelou at a event for children with disabilities. Dr.Angelou reminded me that it is important to “Let my story become my glory.” . I composed a rewrite of the poem “Still I Rise”. It was an inspirational poem that kind of told my story on how I defined the odds from all obstacles. She looked me in my face and stated 3 words before her departure . Pride, Determination and Resilience.
I was reminded of why my mother named me Astra. Meaning “star” and “divine strength,” my mother said that she knew that regardless of what I was experiencing in life, I would continue to persevere and strive for excellence It is my goal to do the same for others in my future.
In my further years of life I plan to open A performance theatre for youth who have incarcerated parents to allow them to get mentored and involved in an arts enrichment program. I look forward to having a bright future as a motivational speaker so that my words will encourage other young people in similar circumstances to aspire and achieve more than what surrounds them. I want to encourage them to overcome things such as drugs, physical and mental abuse, homelessness, neglect, poverty, and much more through the performing arts. It is my goal to start a performance theatre company for underrepresented youth as well as youth who are at risk of being incarcerated. I have chosen to name this project "Stand Tall and Rise"(STAR).
This scholarship opportunity will allow me to further my education and inspire those around me with my story. I’ve never Recently I have adopted the motto; Be Admired , Be Remembered. I believe that working together everyone can achieve more, and help me shape the next generation of future leaders of the world through the performing arts.
When I was younger, my brothers were taken by Child Protective Services. My mother had a habit that she often prioritized over raising her children. I spent a lot of my childhood moving in and out of random shelters, sometimes not knowing if tomorrow's meal was promised. I would hold my mom when she was trying to fall asleep, hoping that I could wipe every tear. I was her backbone. I never aspired to be a mom, but sometimes I felt as though I was more of a mother to my mother than she was to me.
By the time I started high school, my mother was trying to get her life back on track. She just completed treatment at a rehabilitation center and started giving back by volunteering at a homeless shelter. She attended my school events and supported my artistic endeavors. I felt like I was getting my mother back. It also made me feel as if she knew that she didn’t have much longer to live.
It is through my family's rejection to partake in my life that I have come to a point in my life where I can really embrace myself and what I’ve been through. Not really having anyone around as A mother figure or having A strong support system made me reach adulthood much earlier than my peers. I looked at my mother and I listened to the struggles that she had to endure growing up. My mom was on drugs heavily and really wasn't able to take care of me, she was what people of higher authority called “ a unfit parent” but to the people in my neighborhood she was called “ a crackhead”. Coming home from school to a house of drug addicts and pimps was never what I imagined. I remember the killing of my mom like it was just yesterday. My dad came home from and just attacked us as if we hadn't already gone through enough. She just couldn't fight anymore . He pushed me down 3 flights of stairs causing me to be paralyzed in my left eye. For my mother, he fractured her skull , ribs and strangled her to death. The last words I remembered hearing him say to her before blanking out was “ If I can't have you, no one can” and that was the last time I had saw my mother. It is stories of trial and triumph in my life that motivate me and allow me to understand that I can be successful not matter where I come from or what my story might be.
The day my mother died, I promised her that I would not become a statistic. I recognized that her death was a sign from God. Through all the obstacles I had faced in life, God has and still is keeping his faith in me. I realized that it was time for me to start putting that type of faith in myself. I participated and gave back to my community every chance I got. I wanted to give back to those who had seen the courage and strength in me so I became a more active member of my community. By being a mentor and giving back to those in desperate need. In December 2016 I raised over $2000 to give a underprivileged family the christmas of their dreams. If I could prevent a child for feeling left out during christmas time , I was willing to do whatever that took. I started to see that playing small with the world limits the ability and authority that we have to change the lives of others.
I have chosen to surround myself with people that have the same values and ambitions as me, and that are educated, rather than just on the sole premise of race or ethnic background and I have I truly come to slowly understand who I am, what I will achieve and the lives that I will change.
Although I am comfortable with my identity today and the way the world is set up and how when my mom died people automatically thought I would fail , and dropout of school. I know that this is a lifelong process, and some things will continue to be defined and redefined long after my move into my later adult years but I am not ashamed of it. I am happy because not only am I living for my mom I am living for every little girl and boy who have been marginalized like me.
During my sophomore year of high school, I was given the opportunity to perform a spoken word piece with Dr. Maya Angelou at a event for children with disabilities. Dr.Angelou reminded me that it is important to “Let my story become my glory.” . I composed a rewrite of the poem “Still I Rise”. It was an inspirational poem that kind of told my story on how I defined the odds from all obstacles. She looked me in my face and stated 3 words before her departure . Pride, Determination and Resilience.
I was reminded of why my mother named me Astra. Meaning “star” and “divine strength,” my mother said that she knew that regardless of what I was experiencing in life, I would continue to persevere and strive for excellence It is my goal to do the same for others in my future.
In my further years of life I plan to open A performance theatre for youth who have incarcerated parents to allow them to get mentored and involved in an arts enrichment program. I look forward to having a bright future as a motivational speaker so that my words will encourage other young people in similar circumstances to aspire and achieve more than what surrounds them. I want to encourage them to overcome things such as drugs, physical and mental abuse, homelessness, neglect, poverty, and much more through the performing arts. It is my goal to start a performance theatre company for underrepresented youth as well as youth who are at risk of being incarcerated. I have chosen to name this project "Stand Tall and Rise"(STAR).
This scholarship opportunity will allow me to further my education and inspire those around me with my story. I’ve never Recently I have adopted the motto; Be Admired , Be Remembered. I believe that working together everyone can achieve more, and help me shape the next generation of future leaders of the world through the performing arts.
Organizer
Thurgood Marshall College Fund
Organizer
Washington D.C., DC
Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Inc. (Tmcf)
Registered nonprofit
Donations are typically 100% tax deductible in the US.
