Jude Pierre
I have embarked on a journey to bridge the gap between opportunity and its access through entrepreneurial innovation. I grew up in Cavaillon, Haiti, where my family of five shared a one-bedroom apartment and lacked basic resources like adequate food and healthcare. I attended school only because the director of the school granted me a full scholarship. At twelve, I was selected for H.E.R.O Academy, where I became first in my class and became ranked twelfth nationally in tennis.
These achievements enabled me to move to the United States at eighteen to intern with the Inspiring Children Foundation. During this time, I developed a strong belief. We cannot control where someone is born, but we ought to create a world where people can grow as humans and explore their potential. They could even become the next Einstein or Socrates.
I began acting on this belief by helping a friend access a four-year university when he thought community college was his only option. This inspired me to extend similar support to my home country, where considerable talent remains untapped. I could have been among that lost potential had I not received life-changing opportunities.
Like many, I was ineligible for FAFSA and other resources. Despite strong credentials, I remained a poor kid from Haiti. The foundation changed this by supporting my education in Business Management, Institutions, and Policy. This financial relief enables me to pursue higher education while giving me the mental focus to continue helping others through my leadership and critical thinking skills. In my extracurricular activities, I established a project in Haiti connecting landowners with funding and mentoring young Haitians, guiding them toward education aligned with their passions.
My goal extends beyond providing opportunities. I am committed to ensuring real wellbeing access by breaking down barriers. The Mentors Foundation scholarship gives me access to higher education, and I will ensure this gift multiplies into opportunities for countless others.