 Dear School of Information faculty, I want to sincerely express my gratitude for your generosity and for having endowed me with a special session scholarship for new students. I directly want to thank the Chair of the Student Awards and Scholarships Committee, Mary Ann Harlin, Director, Dr. Anthony Chow, the committee, and the entire School of Information faculty for honoring me as a 2023 recipient. I am currently entering my sixth year as a high school English teacher for LAUSD. It has taken dedication and patience from all educators to continue to foster a nurturing learning space for students despite the challenges of the recent pandemic, strikes, and more. I am also incredibly honored to transition from classroom teacher to teacher librarian. My love for reading, writing, and research will soon extend to a new profession as librarian. I have utilized libraries for a safe learning space since I was a child, and I know the empowerment of knowledge and protection the library and all its resources offer. Moreover, the scholarship represents more than financial support. It represents me as a first-generation student and all first-generation students who know the bittersweet difficulty it is to navigate professions that our families and parents could never imagine for themselves. With my BA degree in English education, my English single-subject teaching credential, and my master's degree in English literature, I have learned that I can always learn more about myself and others and this world by supporting and teaching others. Today, I feel resilient and honored to continue my education by beginning the SJSU MLAS program with the Special Session Scholarship for New Students. Thank you.