Dear Family and Friends,
I am thrilled to share that in June 2025, I will graduate from Westfield High School with my high school diploma and Union County Vocational-Technical School with my cosmetology license. Achieving these two significant milestones during high school has been a challenging but rewarding journey.
With your support, I aspire to take the next step in my education and career. I am honored to participate in the Distinguished Women of the Obsidian Civic Club’s Annual Scholarship Ball, where I hope to be crowned “Queen,” following in the footsteps of my sister/cousin Alana Hammond, who was crowned in 2019, and other great young ladies who inspired to attend college and are prominent in their community.
The Scholarship Ball will take place on June 14, 2025, at the Embassy Suites by Hilton, 121 Centennial Avenue, Piscataway, NJ.
The Obsidian Civic Club (OCC), an affiliate of the New Jersey State Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs, Inc., has sponsored this Annual Cotillion for over 40 years, helping more than 400 young men and women pursue their educational goals.
While maintaining a 3.2 GPA, I have also built a successful business, You’re Beautiful Too, LLC (YBT). YBT’s mission is the promote self-love for young girls and teens within the black community by fostering love of their hair through all-natural hair care products. In addition to running my business, I have actively participated in several community service activities; including but not limited to being an active member of Girl Scouts since kindergarten. My faith is strong as a past member of Morning Star Community Christian Center and now a proud new member of Shiloh Baptist Church in Plainfield, NJ. Below is more information regarding my external exposure and engagement:
Educational:
- November 2023 - YBT collaborated with Obsidian Civic C to organize an HBCU tour to Morgan State University and Coppin State University for over 45 high schoolers from Westfield and the surrounding area.
- November 2022 - YBT collaborated with Westfield Neighborhood Council to organize an HBCU Tour to Lincoln University and the African American Museum in Philadelphia to expose over 45 high school students from the Westfield community and surrounding area to expose them to black culture.
- April 2022 Westfield, NJ Tap and Westfield Patch, online newspaper article references my business, YBT Kids
- April 2022 Got Inspiration Podcast Guest speaker
- Feb. 2022 News12 Black History Month Spotlight as a youth entrepreneur
- November 2021 BacktoEden, LLC Facebook live - guest interview for YBT
- 2021 Girl with Impact participant
- November 2018 - Received the Personal Best Award at middle school
Community:
- 2021-current - Member of Delta GEMS in Central Jersey Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
- 2021-2022- participant in Someone’s Daughter
- 2018-2021 -Member of Delta Academy in Central Jersey Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
- 2017-2019 - Westfield PAL Cheerleader
- Member of Girl Scouts since 2013
- May 2022 earned Girl Scouts Silver Award, the highest award a Girl Scout Cadette can earn. Laila solicited assistance from the community to donate hygiene items to make care packages for teens in foster care. In addition, Laila facilitated a self-esteem workshop for more than 10 female teens who resided in a group home for foster children.
- May 2022 Created and implemented a workshop about entrepreneurship for a Girl Scout Troop in Westfield
- Feb. 2019 - Comedy performer at the Metropolitan Baptist Church’s 33rd Black History Month Tea
- 2018 Girl Scouts Bronze Award recipient, the highest award a Girl Scout Junior can earn. Laila and her troop focused on cell phone safety at their elementary school
- 2007-2023 Member of Morning Star Community Christian Center (MSCCC)
- 2019 - Comedy performer at MSCCC’s 50th Anniversary
- 2014-2019 member of the youth choir and praise dance ministry at MSCCC
- Occasional - Presenter for Focus on the Youth at MSCCC
• 2018 - Production Crew for school’s play
As I plan to attend college, I am reaching out to ask for your support in making this dream a reality. The rising costs of tuition present a challenge, but your sponsorship, advertisement, or donation can make a significant difference in easing the financial burden. All contributions are tax-deductible!
Your generosity and encouragement mean the world to me, and I thank you in advance for your support.
With gratitude,
Laila Quallis