Being a first-generation college student means being the first to create a new standard for your family. It means stepping into spaces no one before you has had the opportunity to navigate and learning how to keep moving forward, even when you do not have a blueprint. Sometimes, it also means becoming the first person in your family to figure out how to pay for college largely on your own. Due to an unexpected loss of financial support from my family, I am currently facing a remaining balance that could affect my ability to continue my education at North Carolina A&T. Asking for help is not easy for me, especially because I have worked hard to pursue every available option through financial aid, scholarships, employment, and campus resources. Still, I know that resilience does not always mean struggling in silence. Sometimes, it means having the courage to allow your community to support you. I am determined to continue my education, pursue my goal of becoming an attorney, and keep serving the campus and communities that have invested so much in me. Any donation, no matter the amount, would mean more than I can express. Even if you are unable to donate, sharing this post could help it reach someone who can. Thank you for reading, sharing, supporting, and believing in my journey.