Scholarship Session #2 (Thursday)

This session is like discussing topics and mistakes we learn from and how the future term will affect our lives.

During this scholarship meeting, we got to know some things about Ashanti Martinez, who is very inspiring to me. Being the first openly gay person in the house of delegates is something that strengthens my faith in our state of Maryland.

I feel like I learned some pretty interesting facts like 60 percent of the government budget in Maryland going to education, even though at times especially in my old highschool it doesn't feel like. I learned some more about what it's like to be a state delegate, like how they get 90 days in Annapolis to sort through voting on bills, getting meetings, etc. That they're also allowed to work part time jobs for the other 9-months in which they aren't working in Annapolis.

The most impactful part of the meeting for me was story when Ashanti Matrinez was reached out to by his community about disability issues. While I forget the exact term used, I know that it was people who have bodily disabilities like missing legs or arms, and they wish to particptate in activies such as swimming/running getting prohestics for those activies wouldn't be covered by insurance. So he lobbied for a bill to be passed that at least I believe 3 times a year insurance companies have to cover the expenses for these instances.

Overall, the meeting made me feel more secure about the country.

I am note sure if this properly went through the first time, so I redid it again.