Camille Donaldson Memorial Scholarship

To me, college represents freedom, opportunity, and growth. It signifies safety in the pursuit of knowledge and the chance to transform my life. My name is Kaori Kennedy, and my aspiration is to become a healthy, educated, and financially secure woman. However, my early life was marked by a stark contrast to this vision. Raised by parents who battled addiction and alcoholism, my parents' separation at the age of five left me in the care of my biological mother, Nesha. Unfortunately, my formative years were marred by her neglect of education, mental well-being, and physical health. Nesha never emphasized the importance of education, and as a result, I was never pushed to reach my full academic, physical, or emotional potential. Despite my limited awareness of my situation at the time, I always felt that there was more to life than what Nesha showed me. Her perspective was that as long as you had a man to rely on, life would be secure, and there was no need to strive for anything more. However, school became my refuge during these difficult years. It was a place where I could have fun, learn, and escape the stress and turmoil surrounding me. Nesha failed to comprehend my love for school because it was a foreign concept to her, given her own experience. My life took a dark turn in fourth grade when I was sexually assaulted by one of Nesha's boyfriends. This traumatic incident dramatically altered my perspective on life and education. I began to despise going to school and became increasingly self-conscious, doubting my abilities. This transformation turned me into a reclusive individual, far removed from the confident person I once was. It was during this time that I mustered the courage to confide in my father about my concerns and the traumatic experience I had endured. He was the only one who expressed genuine concern for my well-being and education. Subsequently, my father arranged for me to live with him, and that's when I was introduced to my stepmom, Precious, who has since become my mom. She exemplified the loving, supportive, and understanding mother I had always yearned for. Both she and my dad prioritized my education and well-being, nurturing my self-confidence and motivation. Precious truly comprehended my passion for learning and the significance of education in my life. She played a pivotal role in molding me into the person I am today, fostering my focus on the future, well-being, and mental health. I will forever be grateful for her guidance and support. My goal is not only to change my own reality but also to make a positive impact on the lives of others. I aspire to attend college and pursue a degree in medicine and biology with the ultimate aim of becoming a plastic surgeon. This is just one part of my overarching plan to achieve my life goals. My broader vision is to use the earnings from my career as a plastic surgeon to establish a non-profit program for underserved black communities, providing free access to STEM education. As a black woman, I feel a responsibility to empower my community, offering them opportunities to excel and find their place in the world. My interest in science and medicine has been a lifelong passion, dating back to my childhood when I loved reading about space, doctors, and surgery. As I grew older, I discovered the remarkable achievements of black scientists and physicians in these fields, which further fueled my determination. Upon moving in with my father and stepmom, they recognized my passion for science and pledged their unwavering support.