The Fall 2024 Pullan & Young Supporting Prisoners’ Families Scholarship

Paulo Murray

In his essay, Paulo shares how his father’s incarceration created both emotional and financial challenges for his family. Determined to help ease these hardships, he balanced work with his academic and extracurricular commitments. Congratulations, Paulo, on your hard work and dedication to pursuing your dreams.

Read Paulo’s Essay:

The past several years have been an emotional rollercoaster for my family, marked by unexpected challenges and unforeseen circumstances. At the center of it all was the profound impact of my father's incarceration, which not only disrupted our family dynamics but also placed significant financial strain on us. With my father sentenced to ten and a half years in prison, my younger sister and I found ourselves uprooted from our familiar surroundings and thrust into a new living arrangement with our grandparents.

Moving in with our grandparents was a necessary adjustment, one that came with its own set of challenges and adaptations. While we were grateful for their unwavering support and love, it was impossible to ignore the financial burden my presence placed on my grandmother, particularly as she navigated her retirement years. My grandmother, already facing the challenges of living on a fixed income, selflessly took on the responsibility of caring for us without hesitation. However, the strain of supporting our needs, alongside the ongoing financial obligations stemming from my father's legal fees, weighed heavily on her shoulders.

Despite the hardships, I was determined to lighten the load on my grandmother as much as possible. Throughout high school, I juggled part-time work, academic commitments, and leadership roles in varsity sports teams. Maintaining a 3.4 GPA while serving as the captain of both the varsity basketball and soccer teams demanded a significant amount of time and energy. However, I embraced these responsibilities wholeheartedly, knowing that my efforts could alleviate some of the financial pressures my grandmother faced.

Moreover, I seized the opportunity to participate in the Running Start program at our local community college. This decision was not only driven by my academic aspirations but also by a desire to lessen the financial burden of pursuing higher education. By taking college-level courses during high school, I aimed to reduce the cost of my future college education and ease the financial strain on my family.

Receiving this scholarship would be a game-changer for my family and me. It would serve as a beacon of hope in our journey towards financial stability and security. With the assistance provided by this scholarship, I could alleviate the financial burden on my grandmother, allowing her to breathe a little easier knowing that she doesn't have to shoulder the entirety of my educational expenses. Furthermore, it would enable me to continue pursuing my academic goals without the constant worry of accumulating debt or burdening my family further.

This scholarship holds immense importance to me, not just for the financial assistance it provides but also for the opportunity it represents to break free from the cycle of financial hardship and adversity. It would not only make life easier on my grandmother but also empower me to pursue my dreams and aspirations without constraints. With this scholarship, I can continue to strive for excellence in my academic pursuits while honoring the sacrifices made by my family.

I plan on further attending graduate school to become a forensic psychologist.