Contending with two family tragedies in 2021 was not easy for Marissa G. But, as she worked through her own grief, this 1,000 Dreams Fund Scholarship winner discovered that she was all the more driven to help others with their mental health. She will be attending Louisiana State University to pursue a major in psychology.

What is your professional dream?

My dream is to become a clinical/counseling psychologist, hopefully specializing in child mental healthcare.

How will you use the 1,000 Dreams Scholarship?

I plan to use this funding to cover the cost of extra essential college materials, like textbooks and a laptop.

How is this scholarship helping you get closer to your dream?

My family was put into a financially stressful situation after the passing of my father last year. I worried about the high costs of college — especially in a demanding major — and wondering how many jobs I might need to take on to pay for everything. This scholarship will help alleviate a lot of that stress and help me focus on maintaining good grades on my path to becoming a psychologist.

​What advice do you have for other young women who are wanting to pursue their dreams?

Believe in yourself and stay true to who you are! Face the struggles and battles head on, for you are strong enough to overcome them all.

​Have you had any setbacks? How did you move past them?

Both my father and grandmother passed away in 2021 due to cancer. It took a huge toll on my mental health and put my happiness and dreams on pause. However, as I pushed through the grieving process, I came to realize that they would be so proud of me. It motivates me to want to help others in the future struggling with mental health on all levels.

What’s next for you? What is your next goal?

I will be focusing on getting my bachelor’s degree in psychology and continuing to graduate school to get my master’s and eventually doctoral degrees.