Jasmine Mitchell, a junior biology major from Chicago, Illinois., recently was presented a $500 Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus Scholarship.

The 21-year-old transfer student from Spelman College, is in her first year at Grambling State University and she won the third place scholarship award for an essay she wrote. Mitchell said she’s “trying to take advantage of every scholarship opportunity” she can. Her motto is “Be the change.”

The award was presented during an annual Bayou Classic jazz brunch hosted by the caucus in New Orleans.