My name is Layla and I was selected to receive the Achieving Academic Success at Phoenix College Scholarship for the 2025-26 school year. I would like to thank you for your generosity in making this scholarship happen in the first place.
I grew up in a town with a system set up for a woman of color like me to fail. The education opportunities were scarce, my family had only enough to get by, and there were many times I did not believe making it to and through college was possible. I never would have guessed I’d end up on the other side of the country, living in a city with a community I thrive in and loving school more than ever.
Being at Phoenix College has helped tremendously in reclaiming my love for learning. With the great support of faculty and just knowing how many great resources are available for me when I need them, college feels like the movies as I dreamed. This scholarship will relieve a large burden that interferes with my time that could be spent learning. Moving here was a big decision and most of my money goes towards paying my student loans, leaving little left for necessities.
As a psychology major, my main goal is to give back. I want to be the help I needed at a younger age— and even now— and this scholarship puts me one step further into the field I care so much about. For that, I am eternally grateful.